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ALTEAUJS' YOUNG PEOPLES' LIBRARY 



I HISTORY 

or 

1 HERNANDO CORTEZ % 

T„Lt\ Steven Cal)6t" 

doU JAG0B ABBOTT 

WITH TORTY-ONE ILLUSTRATIONS 
Copyright 1900 by Henry Altemus Company 




ILADELPIUA 

HENRY ALTEAUJS COAPAN^ 




73326 



NOV 9 1900 

Copyright entry 
StCOffD COPY. 

0M<ver«d to 

0K0t« DIVISION, 
JUL, 24 1901 



1r^' S 



/ - /i Z&j 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 


PAGE 


The Discover^ of Mexico 


. 7 


CHAPTER II. 




Early Life of Cortez . 


. 19 


CHAPTER III. 




The Voyage to Mexico . 


. 42 


CHAPTER IV. 




Founded a Colony .... 


. 63 


CHAPTER V. 




The Tlascalans .... 


. 89 


CHAPTER VI. 




The March to Mexico 


. 117 


CHAPTER VII. 




The Metropolis Invaded . 


. 143 


CHAPTER VIII. 




Battle of the Dismal Night . 


. 170 


CHAPTER IX. 




The Capital Besieged and Captured 


. 196 


CHAPTER X. 




The Conquest Consummated 


. 226 


CHAPTER XL 




The Expedition to Honduras . 


. 248 


CHAPTER XII. 




The Last Days of Cortez 


. 271 



(v) 




Aztec Tiger Knight. 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Hernando Cortez Frontispiece. 

Aztec Tiger Knight . . page vi 

Heroic Defence of Guatemozin " viii 

Cortez and Marina " x 

Headpiece, Chapter I " 7 

Aztecs Sacrificing to their Deity . . . facing " 16 

Headpiece, Chapter II "19 

Scene in the Island of Cuba facing " 24 

Cortez Inspiring his Bold Followers . " " 38 

Tailpiece "41 

Headpiece, Chapter III "42 

Cortez Selecting Marina for his Wife . facing " 58 

Spanish Camp at San Juan de Ulua .... "62 

Headpiece, Chapter IV "63 

Meeting of Cortez and the Cacique . . facing " 82 

Kuins of an Aztec Palace " 88 

Headpiece, Chapter V "89 

Slaughter of the Tlascalans facing " 106 

Aztec Helmets "116 

Headpiece, Chapter VI "117 

Cortez Forbids Human Sacrifices . . facing " 120 

Meeting of Montezuma and Cortez . . " " 138 

Headpiece, Chapter VII "143 

City of Mexico "148 

Montezuma facing " 154 

The Soldiers of Narvaez and Cortez . " "166 

Alvarado "169 

Headpiece, Chapter VIII. "170 

The Death of Montezuma facing " 176 

vii 



Vlll ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Slaughter of the Tepeacans facing page 192 

Sandoval "195 

Headpiece, Chapter IX "196 

Cortez Saved by his Strength .... facing " 204 

Guatemozin Put to the Torture ... " " 216 

Guatemozin Requests Cortez to Kill Him . " 225 

Headpiece, Chapter X "226 

Cortez in Armor facing " 238 

Tailpiece . "247 

Headpiece, Chapter XI "248 

Cortez Attends Mass "270 

Headpiece, Chapter XII "271 

Reception of Cortez at Seville .... facing " 276 

Funeral Procession of Cortez " 287 

: 1 

---"-" _ ~ - 1011 




Cortsz, viii 



Heroic Defence of Guatemozin. 




HERNANDO CORTEZ. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE DISCOVERY OF MEXICO. 



More than four hundred years ago the ocean 
which washes the shores of America was one 
vast and silent solitude. No ship plowed its 
waves ; no sail whitened its surface. On the 
11th of October, 1492, three small vessels might 
have been seen invading, for the first time, 
these hitherto unknown waters. They were 
as specks on the bosom of infinity. The sky 
above, the ocean beneath, gave no promise of 
any land. Three hundred adventurers were in 
these ships. Ten weeks had already passed 
since they saw the hills of the Old World sink 
beneath the horizon. 

For weary days and weeks they had strained 
their eyes looking toward the west, hoping to 
Bee the mountains of the New World rising in 

7 



8 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

the distance. The illustrious adventurer, Chris- 
topher Columbus, who guided these frail barks, 
inspired by science and by faith, doubted not 
that a world would ere long emerge before him 
from the apparently boundless waters. But 
the blue sky still overarched them, and the 
heaving ocean still extended in all directions 
its unbroken and interminable expanse. 

Discouragement and alarm now pervaded 
nearly all hearts, and there was a general clam- 
or for return to the shores of Europe. Chris- 
topher Columbus, sublime in the confidence 
with which his exalted nature inspired him, was 
still firm and undaunted in his purpose. 

The night of the 11th of October darkened 
over these lonely adventurers. The stars came 
out in all the brilliance of tropical splendor. A 
fresh breeze drove the ships with increasing 
speed over the billows, and cooled, as with 
balmy zephyrs, brows heated through the day 
by the blaze of a meridian sun. Columbus 
could not sleep. He stood upon the deck of 
his ship, silent and sad, yet indomitable in en- 
ergy, gazing with intense and unintermitted 
watch into the dusky distance. It was near 
midnight. Suddenly he saw a light, as of a 
torch, far off in the horizon. His heart throb- 
bed with an irrepressible tumult of excitement. 
Was it a meteor, or was it a light from the long- 
wished-for land ? It disappeared, and all again 






THE DISCOVERY OP MEXICO. 9 

was dark. But suddenly again it gleamed forth, 
feeble and dim in the distance, yet distinct. 
Soon again the exciting ray was quenched, and 
nothing disturbed the dark and somber outline 
of the sea. The long hours of the night to 
Columbus seemed interminable as he waited 
impatiently for the dawn. But even before any 
light was seen in the east, the dim outline of 
land appeared in indisputable distinctness be- 
fore the eyes of the entranced, the now immor- 
talized navigator. A cannon — the signal of the 
discovery — rolled its peal over the ocean, an- 
nouncing to the two vessels in the rear the joy- 
ful tidings. A shout, excited by the heart's in- 
tensest emotions, rose over the waves, and with 
tears, with prayers, and embraces, these enthu- 
siastic men accepted the discovery of the New 
World. 

The bright autumnal morning dawned in 
richest glory, presenting to them a scene as of 
a celestial paradise. The luxuriance of tropical 
vegetation bloomed in all its novelty around 
them. The inhabitants, many of them in the 
simple and innocent costume of Eden before 
the fall, crowded the shore, gazing with attitude 
and gesture of astonishment upon the strange 
phenomena of the ships. The adventurers 
landed, and were received upon the island of 
San Salvador as angels from heaven by the 
peaceful and friendly natives. Bitterly has 



10 HERtf ASt>0 CORTEZ. 

the hospitality been requited. After cruising 
around for some time among the beautiful 
islands of the New World, Columbus returned 
to Spain to astonish Europe with the tidings 
of his discovery. He had been absent but seven 
months. 

A quarter of a century passed away, during 
which all the adventurers of Europe were busy 
exploring these newly-discovered islands and 
continents. Various colonies were established 
in the fertile valleys of these sunny climes, and 
upon the hillsides which emerged, in the ut- 
most magnificence of vegetation, from the 
bosom of the Caribbean Sea. The eastern 
coast of North America had been during this 
time surveyed from Labrador to Florida. The 
bark of the navigator had discovered nearly all 
the islands of the West Indies, and had crept 
along the winding shores of the Isthmus of 
Darien, and of the South American continent 
as far as the River La Plata. Bold explorers, 
guided by intelligence received from the In- 
dians, had even penetrated the interior of the 
isthmus, and from the summit of the central 
mountain barrier had gazed with delight upon 
the placid waves of the Pacific. But the vast 
indentation of the Mexican Gulf, sweeping far 
away in an apparently interminable circuit to 
the west, had not yet been penetrated. The 
field for romantic adventure which these unex- 



THE DISCOVERY OF MEXICO. 11 

plored realms presented could not, however, 
long escape the eye of that chivalrous age. 

Some exploring expeditions were soon fitted 
out from Cuba, and the shores of Mexico were 
discovered. Here everything exhibited the 
traces of a far higher civilization than had 
hitherto been witnessed in the New World. 
There were villages, and even large cities, 
thickly planted throughout the country. Tem- 
ples and other buildings, imposing in massive 
architecture, were reared of stone and lime. 
Armies, laws, and a symbolical form of writing 
indicated a very considerable advance in the 
arts and the energies of civilization. Many of 
the arts were cultivated. Cloth was made of 
cotton, and of skins nicely prepared. Astron- 
omy was sufficiently understood for the accu- 
rate measurement of time in the divisions of 
the solar year. It is indeed a wonder, as yet 
unexplained, where these children of the New 
World acquired so philosophical an acquaint- 
ance with the movements of the heavenly 
bodies. Agriculture was practised with much 
scientific skill, and a system of irrigation in- 
troduced, from which many a New England 
farmer might learn many a profitable lesson. 
Mines of gold, silver, lead, and copper were 
worked. Many articles of utility and of ex- 
quisite beauty were fabricated from these metals. 
Iron, the ore of which must pass through so 



12 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

many processes before it is prepared for use, 
was unknown to them. The Spanish gold- 
smiths, admiring the exquisite workmanship of 
the gold and silver ornaments of the Mexicans, 
bowed to their superiority. 

Fairs were held in the great market-places 
of the principal cities every fifth day, where 
buyers and sellers in vast numbers thronged. 
They had public schools, courts of justice, a 
class of nobles, and a powerful monarch. The 
territory embraced by this wonderful kingdom 
was twice as large as the whole of New Eng- 
land. 

The code of laws adopted by this strange 
people was very severe. They seemed to cherish 
but little regard for human life, and the almost 
universal punishment for crime was death. 
This bloody code secured a very effective po- 
lice. Adultery, thieving, removing landmarks, 
altering measures, defrauding a ward of prop- 
erty, intemperance, and even idleness, with 
spendthrift habits, were punished pitilessly 
with death. The public mind was so accus- 
tomed to this, that death lost a portion of its 
solemnity. The rites of marriage were very 
formally enacted, and very rigidly adhered to. 

Prisoners taken in war were invariably slain 
upon their religious altars in sacrifice to their 
gods. Slavery existed among them, but not 
hereditary* $q one could be borw a slave, 



THE DISCOVERY OF MEXICO. 13 

The poor sometimes sold their children. The 
system existed in its mildest possible form, as 
there was no distinction of race between the 
master and the slave. 

Military glory was held in high repute. Fa- 
naticism lent all its allurements to inspire the 
soldier. Large armies were trained to very 
considerable military discipline. Death upon 
the battle-field was a sure passport to the most 
sunny and brilliant realms of the heavenly 
world. The soldiers wore coats of mail of 
wadded cotton, which neither arrow nor javelin 
could easily penetrate. The chiefs wore over 
these burnished plates of silver and of gold. 
Silver helmets, also, often glittered upon the 
head. Hospitals were established for the sick 
and the wounded. 

Their religious system was an incongruous 
compound of beauty and of deformity — of gen- 
tleness and of ferocity. They believed in one 
supreme God, the Great Spirit, with several 
hundred inferior deities. The god of war was 
a very demon. The god of the air was a refined 
deity, whose altars were embellished with fruits 
and flowers, and upon whose ear the warbling 
of birds and the most plaintive strains of vocal 
melody vibrated sweetly. 

There were, in their imaginations, three states 
of existence in the future world. The good, 
and especially those, of whatever character, who 



14 HERKAtfDO CORTEZ. 

fell npon the field of battle, soared to the sun, 
and floated in aerial grace and beauty among 
the clouds, in peace and joy, never to be dis- 
turbed. The worthless, indifferent sort of 
people, neither good nor bad, found perhaps a 
congenial home in the monotony of a listless and 
almost lifeless immortality, devoid of joy or 
grief. The wicked were imprisoned in ever- 
lasting darkness, where they could do no far- 
ther harm. 

It is an extraordinary fact that the rite of in- 
fant baptism existed among them. This fact 
is attested by the Spanish historians, who wit- 
nessed it with their own eyes, and who have re- 
corded the truly Christian prayers offered on 
the occasion. As the infants were sprinkled 
with water, God was implored to wash them 
from original sin, and to create them anew. 
Many of their prayers dimly reflected those 
pure and ennobling sentiments which shine so 
brilliantly in the word of God. 

Their worship must have been a costly one, 
as the most majestic temples were reared, and 
an army of priests was supported. One single 
temple in the metropolis had five thousand 
priests attached to its service. The whole 
business of youthful instruction was confided 
to the priests. They received confession, and 
possessed the power of absolution. 

The temples were generally pyramidal struc- 



THE DISCOVERY OF MEXICO. 15 

tures of enormous magnitude. Upon the broad 
area of their summits an altar was erected, 
where human victims, usually prisoners taken 
in war, were offered in sacrifice. These awful 
ceremonies were conducted with the most im- 
posing pomp of music, banners, and military 
and ecclesiastical processions. The victim of- 
fered in sacrifice was bound immovably to the 
stone altar. The officiating priest, with a sharp 
instrument constructed of flint-like lava, cut 
open his breast, and tore out the warm and 
palpitating heart. This bloody sacrifice was 
presented in devout offering to the god. At 
times, in the case of prisoners taken in war, the 
most horrid tortures were practised before the 
bloody rite was terminated. When the gods 
seemed to frown, in dearth, or pestilence, or 
famine, large numbers of children were fre- 
quently offered in sacrifice. Thus the temples 
of Mexico were ever clotted with blood. Still 
more revolting is the well-authenticated fact 
that the body of the wretched victim thus 
sacrificed was often served up as a banquet, and 
was eaten with every accompaniment of festive 
rejoicing. It is estimated that from thirty to 
fifty thousand thus perished every year upon 
the altars of ancient Mexico. One of the great 
objects of their wars was to obtain victims for 
their gods. 

The population of this vast empire is not 



16 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

known. It must have consisted, however, of 
several millions. The city of Mexico, situated 
on islands in the bosom of a lake in the center 
of a spacious and magnificent valley of the in- 
terior, about two hundred miles from the coast, 
was the metropolis of the realm. 

Montezuma was king — an aristocratic king, 
surrounded by nobles, upon whom he conferred 
all the honors and emoluments of the state. 
His palace was very magnificent. He was 
served from plates and goblets of silver and 
gold. Six hundred feudatory nobles composed 
his daily retinue, paying him the most obsequi- 
ous homage, and expecting the same from those 
beneath themselves. Montezuma claimed to be 
lord of the whole world, and exacted tribute 
from all whom his arm could reach. His tri- 
umphant legions had invaded and subjugated 
many adjacent states, as this Roman empire 
of the New World extended in all directions its 
powerful sway. 

It will thus be seen that the kingdom of 
Mexico, in point of civilization was about on 
an equality with the Chinese empire of the pres- 
ent day. Its inhabitants were very decidedly 
elevated above the wandering hordes of North 
America. 

Montezuma had heard of the arrival, in the 
islands of the Caribbean Sea, of the strangers 
from another hemisphere. He had heard of 




Cortez,/acep. 16 



2-Cor 



Aztecs Sacrificing to their Deity. 



THE DISCOVERY OF MEXICO. 17 

their appalling power, their aggressions, and 
their pitiless cruelty. Wisely he resolved to 
exclude these dangerous visitors from his shores. 
As exploring expeditions entered his bays and 
rivers, they were fiercely attacked and driven 
away. These expeditions, however, brought 
back to Cuba most alluring accounts of the 
rich empire of Mexico and of its golden opu- 
lence. 

The Governor of Cuba now resolved to fit 
out an expedition sufficiently powerful to sub- 
jugate their country, and make it one of the vas- 
sals of Spain. It was a dark period of the 
world. Human rights were but feebly dis- 
cerned. Superstition reigned over hearts and 
consciences with a fearfully despotic sway. 
Acts, upon which wouki now fall the reproach 
of unmitigated villainy, were then performed 
with prayers and thanksgivings honestly offered. 
We shall but tell the impartial story of the 
wondrous career of Cortez in the subjugation 
of this empire. God, the searcher of all hearts, 
can alone unravel the mazes of conscientious- 
ness and depravity, and award the just meed 
of approval and condemnation. 

Many good motives were certainly united 
with those more questionable which inspired 
this enterprise. It was a matter of national am- 
bition to promote geographical discoveries, to 
enlarge the realms of commerce, and to extend 



18 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

the boundaries of human knowledge by inves- 
tigating the arts and the sciences of other na- 
tions. The Christian religion — Heaven's great- 
est boon to man — was destined, by the clear 
announcements of prophecy, to fill the world ; 
and it was deemed the duty of the Church to 
extend these triumphs in all possible ways. 
The importance of the end to be attained, it was 
thought, would sanctify even the instrumen- 
tality of violence and blood. Wealth and honors 
were among the earthly rewards promised to 
the faithful. 

Allowances must be made for the darkness 
of the age. It is by very slow and painful steps 
that the human mind has attained to even its 
present unsteady position in regard to civil and 
religious rights. 

The Governor of Cuba, Velasquez, looked 
earnestly for a man to head this important en- 
terprise. He found just the man for the occa- 
sion in Hernando Cortez — a fearless, energetic 
Spanish adventurer, then residing upon the 
island of Cuba. His early life will be found 
in the next chapter. 




CHAPTER II. 



EARLY LIFE OE CORTEZ. 



Ik the interior of Spain, in the midst of the 
somber mountains whose confluent streams 
compose the waters of the G-uadiana, there re- 
poses the little village or hamlet of Medellin. 
A more secluded spot it would be difficult to 
find. Three hundred and seventy years ago, 
in the year 1485, Hernando Cortez was born in 
this place. His ancestors had enjoyed wealth 
and rank. The family was now poor, but proud 
of the Oastilian blood which flowed in their 
veins. The father of Hernando was a captain 
in the army — a man of honorable character. 
Of his mother but little is known. 

Not much has been transmitted to our day 
respecting the childhood of this extraordinary 
man. It is reported that he early developed a 
passion for wild adventure ; that he was idle 
and wayward ; frank, fearless, and generous ; 
that he loved to explore the streams and to 
climb the cliffs of his mountainous home, and 
that he ever appeared reckless of danger. He 
was popular with his companions, for warm- 

!9 



20 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

heartedness and magnanimity were prominent 
in his character. 

His father, though struggling with poverty, 
cherished ambitious views for his son, and sent 
him to the celebrated university of Salamanca 
for an education. He wished Hernando to 
avoid the perils and temptations of the camp, 
and to enter the honorable profession of the law. 
Hernando reluctantly obeyed the wishes of his 
father, and went to the university. But he 
scorned restraint. He despised all the employ- 
ments of industry, and study was his especial 
abhorrence. Two years were worse than wasted 
in the university. Young Cortez was both in- 
dolent and dissipated. In all the feats of mis- 
chief he was the ringleader, and his books were 
entirely neglected. He received many cen- 
sures, and was on the point of being expelled, 
when his disappointed father withdrew the way- 
ward boy from the halls of the university, and 
took him home. 

Hernando was now sixteen years of age. 
There was nothing for him to do in the seclu- 
sion of his native village but to indulge in idle- 
ness. This he did with great diligence. He 
rode horses ; he hunted and fished ; he learned 
the art of the swordsman and played the sol- 
dier. Hot blood glowed in his veins, and he 
became genteelly dissolute ; his pride would 
Ijeyer allow him to stoop to vulgarity. The 



EARLY LIFE OE CORTEZ. 21 

father was grief-stricken by the misconduct of 
his son, and at last consented to gratify the 
passion which inspired him to become a soldier. 
At seventeen years of age the martial boy 
enlisted in an expedition, under Gonsalvo de 
Cordova, to assist the Italians against the 
French. Young Cortez, to his bitter disap- 
pointment, just as the expedition started, was 
taken seriously sick, and was obliged to be left 
behind. Soon after this, one of his relatives 
was appointed, by the Spanish crown, governor 
of St. Domingo, now called Hayti, but then 
called Hispaniola, or Little Spain. This open- 
ing to scenes and adventures in the New World 
was attractive to the young cavalier in the high- 
est possible degree. It was, indeed, an enter- 
prise which might worthily arouse the enthusi- 
asm of any mind. A large fleet was equipped 
to convey nearly three thousand settlers to 
found a colony beneath the sunny skies and 
under the orange groves of the tropics. Life 
there seemed the elysium of the indolent man. 
Young Cortez now rejoiced heartily over his 
previous disappointment. His whole soul was 
engrossed in the contemplation of the wild and 
romantic adventures in which he expected to 
luxuriate. It is not to be supposed that a lad 
of such a temperament should, at the age of 
seventeen, be a stranger to the passion of love. 
There was a young lady in his native village 



22 HERNAtfDO CORTEZ. 

for whom he had formed a strong youthful at- 
tachment. He resolved, with his accustomed 
ardor and recklessness, to secure an interview 
with his lady-love, where parting words and 
pledges should not be witnessed by prudent 
relatives. 

One dark night, just before the squadron 
sailed, the ardent lover climbed a moldering 
wall to reach the window of the young lady's 
chamber. In the obscurity he slipped and fell, 
and some heavy stones from the crumbling wall 
fell upon him. He was conveyed to his bed, 
severely wounded and helpless. The fleet 
sailed, and the young man, almost insane with 
disappointment and chagrin, was left upon his 
bed of pain. 

At length he recovered. His father secured 
for him a passage to join the colonists in an- 
other ship. He, with exultation, left Medellin, 
hastened to the seashore, where he embarked, 
and after an unusually adventurous and peril- 
ous voyage, he gazed with delight upon the 
tropical vegetation and the new scenes of life of 
Hispaniola. It was the year 1504. Cortez was 
then nineteen years of age. 

The young adventurer, immediately upon 
landing, proceeded to the house of his relative, 
Governor Ovando. The governor happened to 
be absent, but his secretary received the young 
man very cordially. 



EARLY LIFE OF CORTEZ. 23 

"I have no doubt," said he to Hernando, 
" that you will receive a liberal grant of land to 
cultivate/' 

" I come to get gold," Hernando replied, 
haughtily, " not to till the soil like a peasant." 

Ovando, on his return, took his young relative 
under his patronage, and assigned to him posts 
of profit and honor. Still Oortez was very 
restless. His impatient spirit wearied of the 
routine of daily duty, and his imagination was 
ever busy in the domain of wild adventure. 

Two Spaniards upon the island of Hispaniola 
about this time planned an expedition for ex- 
ploring the main land, to make discoveries and 
to select spots for future settlements. Oortez 
eagerly joined the enterprise, but again was 
he doomed to disappointment. Just before the 
vessels sailed he was seized by a fever, and laid 
prostrate upon his bed. Probably his life was 
thus saved. Nearly all who embarked on this 
enterprise perished by storm, disease, and the 
poisoned arrows of the natives. 

Seven years passed away, during which Oor- 
tez led an idle and voluptuous life, ever ready 
for any daring adventure which might offer, 
and miserably attempting to beguile the weari- 
ness of provincial life with guilty amours. He 
accepted a plantation from the governor, which 
was cultivated by slaves. His purse was thus 
ever well filled. Not unfrequently he became 



24 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

involved in duels, and lie bore npon his body 
until death many scars received in these en- 
counters. Military expeditions were not un- 
frequently sent out to quell the insurrections to 
which the natives of the island were goaded by 
the injustice and the cruelty of the Spaniards. 

Oortez was always an eager volunteer for 
such service. His courage and imperturbable 
self-possession made him an invaluable co-op- 
erator in every enterprise of danger. He thus 
became acquainted with all the artifices of In- 
dian warfare, and inured himself to the toil 
and privations of forest life. 

In the year 1492 the magnificent island of 
Cuba, but a few leagues from Hispaniola, had 
been discovered by Columbus. As he approached 
the land, the grandeur of the mountains, the 
wide sweep of the valleys, the stately forests, 
the noble rivers, the bold promontories and 
headlands, melting away in the blue of the hazy 
distance, impressedlhim with unbounded admira- 
tion. As he sailed up one of the beautiful riv- 
ers of crystal clearness, fringed with flowers, 
and aromatic shrubs, and tropical fruits, while 
the overhanging trees were vocal with the melody 
of birds of every variety of song and plumage, 
enraptured he exclaimed, 

" Cuba ! It is the most beautiful island that 
eyes ever beheld. It is an elysium. One could 
live there forever." 




Cortez, /ace p. »i 



Scene in the Island of Cuba. 



EARLY LIFE OF CORTEZ. 25 

The natives of the favored land were amiable 
and friendly. The Spaniards did not for sev- 
eral years encroach upon their rights, and no 
Spanish colony was established upon their en- 
chanting shores. It was now the year 1511. 
Nineteen years had elapsed since the discovery 
of the island. Ovando had been recalled, and 
Diego Columbus, the son of Christopher, had 
been appointed, in his stead, governor of His- 
paniola. He took the title of Viceroy, and as- 
sumed all the splendors of royalty. Diego Co- 
lumbus devoutly decided that it was manifest 
destiny that Cuba should belong to Spain. He 
organized a filibustering expedition to wrest 
from the natives their beautiful island. The 
command of the expedition was intrusted to 
Don Velasquez, a bold adventurer, of much no- 
toriety, from Spain, who had been residing for 
many years at Hispaniola, and who had been 
lieutenant under Governor Ovando. A foray of 
this kind would, of course, excite the patriotic 
zeal of every vagabond. Cortez was one of the 
first to hasten to the standard of Velasquez. 
The natives of the island, unarmed and volup- 
tuous, made hardly the shadow of resistance, 
and three hundred Spanish adventurers, with 
but a slight struggle, took possession of this 
magnificent domain. The reputation and ability 
of Cortez gave him a prominent position in this 
adventure. 



26 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

One brave and patriotic Indian chief, who 
had fled from the outrages perpetrated at His- 
paniola, urged the Cubans to repel the invaders. 
Though unable to rouse in a mass the peace- 
loving islanders, he gathered a small band 
around him, and valiantly contended to resist 
the landing. His efforts were quite unavailing. 
Gunpowder soon triumphed. The Indians 
were speedily put to flight, and the chieftain 
Hatuey was taken prisoner. 

Velasquez ignobly and cruelly condemned 
the heroic patriot to be burned alive ; but relig- 
iously the fanatic invader wished, though he 
burned the body, to save the soul. A priest 
was appointed to labor for the conversion of the 
victim. 

" If you will embrace our religion," said the 
priest, "as soon as the fire has consumed your 
body, you will enter heaven, and be happy there 
forever." 

" Are there Spaniards," inquired Hatuey, 
" in that happy place of which you speak ? " 

"Yes," replied the priest; "such as are 
holy." ' 

" Then I will not go there ! " Hatuey ener- 
getically rejoined. " I will never go to a place 
where I shall meet one of that cruel people." 

The poor Indian was burned to ashes. The 
natives gazed upon the spectacle with horror. 
They were appalled, and ventured to make 



EARLY LIFE OF CORTEZ. 27 

no farther resistance to their terrible con- 
querors. 

Such is Spain's title-deed to the island of 
Cuba. God has not smiled upon regions thus 
infamously won. May the United States take 
warning that all her possessions may be honor- 
ably acquired. " God helps/' says blind unbe- 
lief, ' ' the heavy battalions ; " but experience 
has fully proved that " the race is not always to 
the swift, nor the battle to the strong." 

One or two colonies were soon established 
upon the conquered island. They grew very 
rapidly. Velasquez was appointed governor ; 
Cortez was his secretary. 

Many families were enticed from Spain by 
the charms of this most beautiful of the isles 
of the ocean. A gentleman came from old 
Castile with four beautiful daughters. Velas- 
quez became attached to one ; Cortez trifled 
grievously with the affections of another. The 
governor reproached him for his infamous con- 
duct. The proud spirit of Cortez could not 
brook reproof, and he entered into a conspiracy 
to proffer complaints against the governor, and 
to secure his removal. It was a bold and a 
perilous undertaking. 

Cortez prepared to embark in an open boat, 
and push out fearlessly but secretly into the 
open sea, to make a voyage of nearly sixty miles 
to Hispaniola. There he was to enter his com- 



28 HERNAKDO C0ETE2. 

plaints to Diego Columbus. The conspiracy 
was detected upon the eve of its execution. 
Oortez was arrested, manacled, thrown into 
prison and, was, after trial, sentenced to death 
for treason. He, however, succeeded in break- 
ing his fetters, forced open his prison window, 
and dropped himself down, in the darkness of 
the night, from the second story, and escaped 
to the sanctuary of a neighboring church. Such 
a sanctuary, in that day, could not be violated. 

A guard was secreted to watch him. He re- 
mained in the church for several days. But at 
length impatience triumphed over prudence, 
and, as he attempted one night to escape, he 
was again arrested, more strongly chained, and 
was placed on board a ship to be sent to His- 
paniola for execution. 

The code of Spanish law was in that day a 
bloody one. Spanish governors were almost 
unlimited despots. Cortez was not willing to 
go to Hispaniola with the cord of a convicted 
traitor about his neck. With extraordinary 
fortitude, he drew his feet, mangling them 
sadly, through the irons which shackled them. 
Creeping cautiously upon deck, he let himself 
down softly into the water, swam to the shore, 
and, half dead with pain and exhaustion, at- 
tained again the sanctuary of the church. 

He now consented to marry the young lady 
with whose affections and reputation he had so 



EAfcLY LIFE OF COttTEZ. 29 

cruelly trifled. The family, of course, espoused 
his cause. The governor, who was the lover of 
her sister, regarded this as the amende honorable, 
and again received the hot-blooded cavalier to 
his confidence. Thus this black and threaten- 
ing cloud suddenly disappeared, and sunshine 
and calm succeeded the storm. Cortez returned 
to his estates with hi3 bride a wiser, and per- 
haps a better man, from the severe discipline 
through which he had passed. Catalina Suarez, 
whom he married, was an amiable and beauti- 
ful lady of very estimable character. She event- 
ually quite won the love of her wayward and 
fickle husband. 

" I lived as happily with her," said the 
haughty Oastilian, "as if she had been the 
daughter of a duchess." 

Velasquez, like every other Spanish governor 
at that time, was ambitious of extending his 
dominions. In the year 1517, a number of 
restless spirits, under his patronage, resolved to 
sail upon a voyage of discovery and conquest. 

Three vessels were fitted out for this adven- 
ture. One hundred and ten men embarked in 
the enterprise, under the command of Francisco 
Hernandez, of Cordova. Valasquez directed 
them to land upon some neighboring islands, 
and seize a number of inhabitants, and make 
slaves of them, to pay the cost of the expedition. 
" But when the proposal," says one of the party, 

3— Corte* B 



SO HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

" was made known to the soldiers, we to a man 
refused it, saying that it was not just, nor 
did God or the king permit that free men 
should be made slaves. That our expedition," 
the same writer continues, " might be conduct- 
ed on proper principles, we persuaded a clergy- 
man to accompany us." In fervent prayer, 
commending themselves to God and the Vir- 
gin, they unfurled their sails, and steered reso- 
lutely toward the setting sun. They discovered 
the island of Cozumel and the vast promon- 
tory of Yucatan.* The expedition, however, 
encountered many disasters. The natives as- 
sailed them fiercely. At length the shattered 
ships returned, having lost seventy men, and 
bringing with them quite a number bleeding 
and dying. Cordova died of his wounds ten 
days after arriving at Havana. 

The tidings, however, of the magnificent dis- 
covery, and the fabulous report that the coun- 
try was rich in gold, incited Velasquez to fit 
out a second expedition of four ships, under 
the command of Juan de Grijalva. Two hun- 
dred and forty adventurers embarked in the en- 
terprise. On the 5th day of April, 1518, after 

* Yuca is the Indian name of the plant used for 
bread. The heap of earth in which it is planted is 
called tule. The two words repeated together made 
Yucatul, or Yucatan as it was expressed by the 
Spaniards. — Bernal Diaz, p. 10. 



EARLY LIFE OF COBTEZ. 31 

having devoutly partaken of the sacrament of 
the Lord's Supper, the anchors were lifted, and 
the little squadron sailed from the port of Ma- 
tanzas. Eight days brought them to Cozumel. 
They then passed over to the continent, and 
coasted along the shore for many leagues to the 
north and west. They made frequent attempts 
to land and open intercourse with the natives, 
but they were invariably attacked with the ut- 
most determination. Though the Spaniards 
were generally victorious in these conflicts, they 
lost several men, and very many were sorely 
wounded. At length they arrived upon the 
coast of Mexico, and landed at the point now 
called St. Juan de Ulua. Here they were kind- 
ly received by the natives, and acquired consid- 
erable gold in exchange for glass beads. They 
also obtained vague information of the great 
monarch Montezuma, and of the extent and 
power of his realms. Greatly elated with this 
success, Grijalva sent one of his vessels back 
to Cuba with specimens of the gold, and with 
most glowing accounts of the grandeur, wealth, 
and power of the newly-discovered empire of 
Mexico. To their extreme delight, the voyag- 
ers found that the natives had hatchets appar- 
ently of solid burnished gold. The excitement 
was intense on board the ships. Six hundred 
of these hatchets were eagerly bought. At 
length the expedition returned to Cuba, The 



32 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

six hundred golden hatchets were triumphantly 
displayed, when, to the unutterable chagrin of 
their possessors, they proved to be but copper. 
The disappointed adventurers were over- 
whelmed with ridicule. " There was much 
laughter," says Diaz, who accompanied the ex- 
pedition, "when the six hundred hatchets 
were produced and assayed." 

The tidings of the discovery of Mexico spread, 
however, like wildfire over the island of Cuba. 
Every bosom which could be moved by avarice 
or by the love of adventure was intensely ex- 
cited. Velasquez promptly despatched the wel- 
come intelligence to Spain, and immediately 
commenced fitting out another expedition upon 
a scale of grandeur hitherto unattempted. No 
one heard these tidings with such a thrill of 
emotion as Hernando Cortez. Though enjoy- 
ing a rich estate, his extravagance had involved 
him in debt and distress. To retrieve his ru- 
ined fortunes, and to gratify his insatiable love 
of adventure, he resolved to leave no efforts un- 
tried to secure for himself the command of the 
expedition. 

He bribed some of the powerful friends of 
the governor to advocate his cause, promising 
them a rich share of the booty which he hoped 
to obtain. He also offered to contribute large- 
ly of his own wealth to fit out the naval arma- 
ment. 



EARLY LIFE OF CORTE2. 33 

It was manifest to all that there could not be 
a man better adapted to fill such a post than 
Hernando Cortez. The governor was well in- 
structed in his energy, capacity, and courage. 
But he feared these traits of character. He 
wished for a man who would act as his agent, 
who would be submissive to his authority, and 
who would transfer the glory of successful 
achievement to his name. But Cortez was a 
man to lead, not to be led. The governor hes- 
itated. At last he yielded to the powerful con- 
siderations which were pressed upon him, and 
publicly announced Cortez as captain-general 
of the armada. 

As soon as Cortez received this commission, 
all the glowing enthusiasm and tremendous 
energy of his nature were roused and concen- 
trated upon this one magnificent object. His 
whole character seemed suddenly to experience 
a total change. He became serious, earnest, 
thoughtful. Mighty destinies were in his 
hands. Deeds were to be accomplished at 
which the world was to marvel. Strange as it 
may seem, for the heart of man is an inexpli- 
cable enigma, religion, perhaps we should say 
religious fanaticism, mingled the elements of 
her mystic power in the motives which inspired 
the soul of this extraordinary man. He was 
to march the apostle of Christianity to over- 
throw the idols in the halls of Montezuma, and 



34 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

there to rear the cross of Christ. It was his 
heavenly mission to convert the benighted 
Indians to the religion of Jesus. With the 
energies of fire and sword, misery and blood, 
horses rushing to the charge, and death-dealing 
artillery, he was to lead back the wandering 
victims of darkness and sin to those paths of 
piety which guide to heaven. 

Such was Hernando Oortez. Let philoso- 
phy explain the enigma as she may, no intelli- 
gent man will venture the assertion that Cor- 
tez was a hypocrite. He was a frank, fearless, 
deluded enthusiast. 

Governor Velasquez soon became alarm ed in 
view of the independent energy with which 
Oortez pressed forward the enterprise. It was 
quite evident that the bold adventurer would 
regard no instructions, and that, having ac- 
quired wealth and fame, he would, with his 
commanding genius, become a formidable rival. 
Velasquez therefore determined, before it 
should be too late, to deprive Cortez of the 
command. But it was already too late. The 
energetic captain received from a friend an in- 
timation of his peril. With the decision which 
marked his character, he that very night, though 
the vessels were not prepared for sea, and the 
complement of men was not yet mustered, re- 
solved secretly to weigh anchor. 

The moment the sun went down he called 



EARLY LIFE OF CORTEZ. 35 

upon his officers and informed them of his pur- 
pose. Every man was instantly and silently 
in motion. At midnight the little squadron, 
with all on board, dropped down the bay. In- 
telligence was promptly conveyed to the gov- 
ernor of this sudden and unexpected departure. 
Mounting his horse, he galloped to a point of 
the shore which commanded a view of the fleet 
at anchor in the roadstead. Cortez, from the 
deck of his ship, saw the governor upon the 
beach surrounded by his retinue. He entered 
a boat and was rowed near to the shore. The 
governor reproached Cortez bitterly for his 
conduct. 

" Pardon me," said the captain, courteously ; 
" time presses, and there are some things which 
should be done before they are even thought of." 

Then, with Castilian grace, waving an adieu 
to the governor, he returned to his ship. The 
anchors were immediately raised, the sails 
spread, and the little fleet, the renown of whose 
extraordinary achievements was to fill the 
world, was wafted from the harbor of St. Jago, 
and soon disappeared in the distant horizon of 
the sea. 

St. Jago was then the capital of Cuba. 
Cortez directed his course to Mocaca, about 
thirty miles distant. Hastily collecting such 
additional stores as the place would afford,, he 
again weighed anchor and proceeded to Trini- 



36 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

dad. This was an important town on the 
southern shore of the island. Here he landed, 
raised his banner, and, with alluring promises, 
invited volunteers to join the expedition. He 
marshaled and drilled his men, collected mili- 
tary supplies, and, more than all, by the charms 
of his daily intercourse secured the enthusiastic 
devotion of his followers. 

His men were armed with cross-bows and 
muskets, and he had several small cannon. 
Jackets, thickly wadded with cotton, were pro- 
vided as coats of mail for the soldiers, which 
were a great protection against the missiles of 
the natives. Neither arrow nor javelin could 
pierce them. A black velvet banner, embroid- 
ered with gold, and emblazoned with a cross, 
bore the characteristic device, 

" Let us follow the cross. Under this sign, 
with faith, we conquer. " 

Beneath such a standard did these stern men 
march upon an expedition of wanton aggres- 
sion, crime, and woe. 

A trading vessel appeared off the coast, laden 
with provisions and valuable merchandise. It 
was a providential gift of exactly that which 
the adventurers needed. Cortez, with grati- 
tude to God, seized both ship and cargo, and 
by his peculiar powers of moral suasion induced 
the captain and most of the crew to enlist in 
his service. Another ship made its appear- 



EARLY LIFE OP COBTEZ. 87 

ance ; it was a renewed token of God's kind- 
ness to his servants ; it was received with alac- 
rity. Whatever remonstrances the owners 
might raise were drowned in thanksgivings and 
praises. Every movement of the expedition was 
inspired by the fanatical spirit of the Crusades. 

Cortez now, with his force much strength- 
ened, sailed around the western point of the 
island to Havana. With renewed diligence, 
he here resumed his labor of beating up re- 
cruits and of augmenting his stores. Governor 
Velasquez, informed of his arrival at this port, 
despatched orders to Pedro Barba, commander 
at Havana, to arrest Cortez and seize the fleet. 
But it was much easier to issue this order than 
to execute it. Cortez was now too strong to 
be apprehended by any force which Barba had 
at his command. Cortez received from a friend 
an intimation of the order for his arrest which 
had been received from the governor. 

He assembled his bold followers around him ; 
made a rousing speech, full of eloquence and 
of the peculiar piety then in vogue ; painted in 
glowing colors the wealth and the renown open- 
ing before them in the vast realms of Mexico ; 
and then portrayed, with biting sarcasm, the 
jealousy and the meanness of Velasquez, who 
wished to deprive him of the command of the 
enterprise. 

The speech was convincing. His tumultu- 



38 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

ary followers threw up their hats and filled the 
air with acclamations. They declared that they 
would acknowledge Cortez, and Cortez only, 
as their leader ; that they would follow him 
wherever he might guide ; that they would de- 
fend him with their lives, and that they would 
wreak unsparing vengeance upon any enemies 
who should attempt to molest him in his glori- 
ous career. This was the efficient reply which 
Cortez made to the order for his arrest. 

The reply was not lost upon Barba. He per- 
ceived that it would be folly to attempt to exe- 
cute the command of the governor. He wrote 
to him accordingly, stating the impracticability 
of the attempt. In fact, Barba had no dis- 
position to arrest Cortez. He had become 
strongly attached to the bold and earnest cap- 
tain. Cortez himself also wrote a very court- 
eous letter to the governor, with studied polite- 
ness informing him that, with the blessing of 
God, he should sail the next day, and assuring 
the governor of eternal devotion to his interest. 
As there was some danger that Velasquez might 
send from St. Jago a force sufficiently strong 
to cause some embarrassment, the little squad- 
ron the next morning weighed anchor and pro- 
ceeded to Cape Antonio, an appointed place of 
rendezvous on the extreme western termination 
of the island. 

Here Cortez completed his preparations and 



EARLY LIFE OF COBTEZ. 39 

collected all the force he desired. He had now 
eleven vessels. The largest was of bat one 
hundred tons. Three were of but seventy tons, 
and the rest were open barks. His whole force 
consisted of one hundred and ten seamen, 
five hundred and fifty-three soldiers, two hun- 
dred Indians, and a few Indian women for me- 
nial service. His regular soldiers consisted of 
sixteen horsemen, thirty musketeers, and thirty- 
two cross-bowmen. He had also, as the most 
formidable part of his armament, fourteen 
pieces of artillery, with an ample supply of am- 
munition. All the soldiers, excepting the mus- 
keteers and the bowmen, were armed simply 
with swords and spears. Sixteen horses formed 
also an exceedingly important part of the 
physical force of the army. This noble animal 
had never yet been seen on the continent of 
America. With great difficulty, a few had 
been transported across the ocean from Spain. 
With such a force this enthusiastic adventurer 
undertook the subjugation of a nation of many 
millions. 

Cortez was now thirty-three years of age. 
He was a handsome, well-formed man, of me- 
dium stature, of pale, intellectual features, with 
a piercing, dark eye, and frank and winning 
manners. He was temperate, indifferent re- 
specting all personal comforts, and reckless of 
hardship and peril. He fully appreciated the 



40 HERtfANDO CORTE2. 

influence of dress, and ever appeared in the rich 
garb of a Spanish gentleman. He was courtly 
yet frank in his manners, and possessed a 
peculiar power of attracting to his person all 
who approached him. 

On the eve of his departure from Cape An- 
tonio, he again assembled his followers around 
him, and thus harangued them : 

" The enterprise in which you are engaged 
will fill the world with your renown. I am 
leading you to countries more vast and opulent 
than European eyes have ever yet beheld. It 
is a glorious prize Avhich I present to you. But 
this prize can only be won by hardship and toil. 
Great deeds are only achieved by great exer- 
tions. Glory is never the reward of sloth. I 
have labored hard and staked my all on this 
undertaking, for I love that renown which is 
the noblest recompense of man. 

' ' Do you covet riches more ? Be true to me, 
and I will make you masters of wealth of which 
you have never dreamed. You are few in num- 
bers, but be strong in resolution, and doubt 
not that the Almighty, who has never deserted 
the Spaniard in his contest with the infidel, will 
shield you, though encompassed by enemies. 
Your cause is just. You are to fight under the 
banner of the cross. Onward, then, with alac- 
rity. Gloriously terminate the work so auspi- 
ciously begun." 



EARLY LIFE OF CORTEZ. 



41 



This speech was received with tumultuous 
cheers. Mass was then celebrated by the ec- 
clesiastics who accompanied the fleet, and with 
many religious ceremonies the squadron was 
placed under the protection of St. Peter. The 
anchors were raised, the sails were spread, and 
a favoring breeze pressed them rapidly over the 
waves toward the setting sun. It was the 18 th 
of February, 1519: 





CHAPTER III. 



THE VOYAGE TO MEXICO. 



Light and variable winds retarded the prog- 
ress of the squadron as it was headed in a 
southwesterly direction toward the shores of 
Yucatan. A terrible tempest succeeded, and 
the ships were driven wildly before the storm. 
But after the lapse of about a week, as the 
storm abated, they were cheered by the sight 
of land. The mountains of the island of Cozu- 
mel rose towering before them. This large isl- 
and is separated from the main land of Yucatan 
by a channel of from twelve to thirty miles in 
width. 

When the natives saw the ships approaching, 
they fled from the shores in terror. Such a 
fleet must have, indeed, presented to the artless 
inhabitants an appalling spectacle. The squad- 
ron cast anchor in a spacious bay, and those 
who first arrived were the first to land. The 
captain of one of the vessels, with some of his 
crew, entered one of the native temples, and, 
seeing the idol decorated with gold, seized the 
42 



THE VOYAGE TO MEXICO. 43 

treasure promptly as lawful prize, and also cap- 
tured two or three of the natives. Cortez was 
indignant at conduct so rash and impolitic. He 
severely rebuked the over-zealous captain, or- 
dered the ornaments to be replaced, and liber- 
ated the captives and loaded them with presents. 
He thus appeased the fears of the natives, and 
induced them to return to their dwellings. 
They soon became quite reconciled to the stran- 
gers, and opened with them a lucrative traffic. 
The island was not very fertile, and was thinly 
inhabited ; but the natives had large and com- 
fortable houses, built of stone cemented with 
mortar. There were several spacious temples, 
with lofty towers, constructed of the same du- 
rable materials. The adventurers were also 
exceedingly surprised to find in the courtyard 
of one of the temples an idol in the form of a 
massive stone cross. It was erected in honor of 
the god of rain. It is, indeed, a curious ques- 
tion, and one which probably will never be 
answered, how the natives of this new world ob- 
tained those apparently shadowy ideas of Chris- 
tianity. They certainly performed the rite of 
baptism. The cross was one of their idols. 
They also believed in original sin, which was to 
be in some way removed by sprinkling an infant 
with water. 

Cortez remained upon this island about a 
fortnight. During this time all his energies 

4— Cortei 



44 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

were engrossed in accomplishing the great ob- 
ject of his mission. He sent two vessels to the 
main land to make inquiries about some Span- 
iards, who, it was reported, had been ship- 
wrecked upon the coast, and were still lingering 
in captivity. The captain in command of this 
expedition was instructed to return within eight 
days. Several parties were also sent in various 
directions to explore the island thoroughly and 
ascertain its resources. 

But one of the most important objects, in the 
estimation of Cortez, to be accomplished, was 
the conversion of the natives to the Catholic re- 
ligion. He had with him several ecclesiastics 
— men whose sincerity no candid man can doubt. 
The Indians were assembled, and urged, 
through an interpreter, to abandon their 
idols and turn to the living God. The simple 
natives understood but little of the harangue, 
except the injunction to destroy their idols. 
At this suggestion they were horror-stricken. 
They assured Cortez that were they to harm or 
insult their gods, destruction in every awful 
form would immediately overwhelm them. 

The bold warrior wielded bold arguments. 
His logic was truly military. With his mailed 
cavaliers he made a prompt onslaught upon the 
idols, hewed them down, smashed them to pieces, 
and tumbled the dishonored and mutilated frag- 
ments into the streets. He then constructed a 



ME VOYAGE TO MEXICO. 45 

Christian altar, reared a cross and an image of 
the holy Virgin and the holy child, and mass, 
with all its pomp of robes, and chants, and in- 
cense, was for the first time performed in the 
temples of Yucatan. 

The natives were at first overwhelmed with 
grief and terror as they gazed upon their pros- 
trate deities. But no earthquake shook the isl- 
and ; no lightning sped its angry bolt ; no thun- 
der broke down the skies. The sun still shone 
tranquilly, and ocean, earth, and sky smiled 
untroubled. The natives ceased to fear gods 
who could not protect themselves, and without 
farther argument consented to exchange their 
ungainly idols for the far prettier idols of the 
strangers. The heart of Cortez throbbed with 
enthusiasm and pride as he contemplated his 
great and glorious achievement — an achieve- 
ment, in his view, unparalleled by the miracles 
of Peter or of Paul. In one short fortnight he 
had converted these islanders from the service 
of Satan, and had won them to that faith which 
would secure their eternal salvation. The 
fanatic sincerity with which this deed was ac- 
complished does not redeem it from the sublim- 
ity of absurdity. Faith, said these mailed the- 
ologians, saves the soul ; and these pagans have 
now turned from their idols to the living God. 
It is true that man is saved by faith, but it is 
that faith which works by love. 



46 HERKANBO COJfcTEZ. 

In the mean time the parties returned from 
the exploration of the island, and Orday 
brought back his two ships from the main land. 
He was unsuccessful in his attempts to find the 
shipwrecked Spaniards. Oortez had now been 
at Oozumel a fortnight. As he was on the 
point of taking his departure, a frail canoe was 
seen crossing the strait, with three men in it, 
apparently Indians, and entirely naked. As 
soon as the canoe landed, one of the men ran 
frantically to the Spaniards and informed them 
that he was a Christian and a countryman. 
His name was Aguilar. 

Seven years ago, the vessel in which he was 
sailing from Darien to Hispaniola foundered in 
a gale. The ship's company, twenty in num- 
ber, took to the boats. For thirteen days they 
were driven about at the mercy of the winds 
and currents. Seven perished miserably from 
hunger and thirst. The rest reached the bar- 
barian shores of Yucatan. The natives seized 
them as captives, guarded them carefully, but 
fed them abundantly with the choicest food, 
and inflicted upon them no sufferings, and re- 
quired of them no toil. Their treatment was 
an enigma which was soon dreadfully explained. 

One day four of these captives who were in 
the best condition were selected, sacrificed upon 
the bloody altars of the idols, and their cooked 
flesh served up for a cannibal repast. The 



THE VOYAGE TO MEXICO. 47 

howlings of the savages over the midnight or- 
gies of this horrible entertainment fell dismally 
upon the ears of the miserable survivors. In 
their despair they succeeded in escaping, and 
fled to the mountain forests. Here they wan- 
dered for a time in the endurance of awful suf- 
ferings. At length they were again taken cap- 
tive by the cacique or chief of another province. 
He spared their lives, but made them menial 
slaves. Their masters were merciless and ex- 
acting in the extreme. Under this rigorous 
treatment all died but two — Aguilar, a priest, 
and Guerrero, a sailor. The sailor, having no 
scruples of any kind, and being ready to con- 
form himself to all customs, gradually acquired 
the good-will of the savages. He obtained re- 
nown as a warrior ; identified himself entirely 
with the natives ; tattooed his face ; slit his 
ears, his lips, and his nose, for those dangling 
ornaments which ever accompany a barbarian 
taste, and took to him a native wife. 

Aguilar, however, was a man of more culti- 
vation and refinement. He cherished his self- 
respect, and, resisting all enticements to marry 
an Indian maiden, was true to the vows of cel- 
ibacy which his priestly profession imposed. 
Curious stories are related of the temptations 
to which the natives exposed him. Weary 
years lingered along, presenting no opportunity 
for escape. Cortez at last arrived at Cozumel, 



48 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

Some Indians carried the tidings into the inte- 
rior. Aguilar received this intelligence with 
transport, and yet with trembling. He, how- 
ever, succeeded in reaching the coast, accom- 
panied by two friendly natives. He found upon 
the beach a stranded canoe, half buried in the 
sand. Embarking in this with his two com- 
panions, they paddled themselves across the 
strait, at that place twelve miles wide, to the 
island. The frail boat was seen by the party 
of Cortez upon the surface of the sea. As soon 
as Aguilar landed he dropped upon his knees, 
and with streaming eyes gave thanks to God 
for his escape. 

His companion in captivity refused to accom- 
pany him. " Brother Aguilar, " said he, after 
a moment's thought, "lam married. I have 
three sons, and am a cacique and captain in the 
wars. My face is tattooed and my ears bored. 
What would the Spaniards think of me should 
I now go among them?" All Aguilar's en- 
treaties for him to leave were unavailing. 

Aguilar appears to have been truly a good 
man. As he had acquired a perfect acquaint- 
ance with the language of the natives, and with 
their manners and customs, Cortez received 
him as a heaven-sent acquisition to his enter- 
prise. 

On the 4th of March the squadron again set 
gall m&> crossing the narrow strait, approache4 



THE VOYAGE TO MEXICO. 49 

the shores of the continent. Sailing directly - 
north some hundred miles, hugging the coast 
of Yucatan, Cortez doubled Cape Catoche, and 
turning his prow to the west, boldly pressed 
forward into those unknown waters which 
seemed to extend interminably before him. 
The shores were densely covered with the lux- 
uriant foliage of the tropics, and in many a bay 
and on many a headland could be discerned 
the thronged dwellings of the natives. 

After sailing west about two hundred miles, 
they found the coast again turning abruptly to 
the south. Following the line of the land some 
three hundred miles farther, they came to the 
broad mouth of the River Tabasco, which Gri- 
jalva had entered, and which Cortez was seek- 
ing. A sand-bar at the mouth of the river pre- 
vented the heavily-loaded vessels from passing. 
Cortez, therefore, cast anchor, and taking a 
strong and well-armed party in the boats, 
ascended the shallow stream. 

A forest of majestic trees, with underwood 
dense and impervious, lined the banks. The 
naked forms of the natives were seen gliding 
among the foliage, following, in rapidly-accu- 
mulating numbers, the advance of the boats, 
and evincing, by tone and gesture, anything but 
a friendly spirit. At last, arriving at an open- 
ing in the forest, where a smooth and grassy 
meadow extended with gradual ascent from 



50 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

the stream, the boats drew near the shore, and 
Cortez, through his interpreter Aguilar, asked 
permission to land, avowing his friendly inten- 
tions. The prompt answer was the clash of 
weapons and shouts of defiance. 

Upon this Cortez decided to postpone a for- 
cible landing until the morning, and retired to 
a small island in the river which was uninhab- 
ited. He here encamped for the night, estab- 
lishing a vigilant line of sentinels to guard 
against surprise. 

In the early dawn of the next morning the 
party were assembled for prayers and for the 
celebration of mass. They then, with new zeal 
and courage, entered their boats, and ascended 
the glassy, forest-fringed stream, upon which 
the morning sun shone brightly. Bird-songs 
filled the air, and hardly a breath of wind moved 
the leaves, glittering in the brilliant sunlight, as 
these bronzed men of iron sinews moved sternly 
on to the demoniac deeds of war. The natives, 
in preparation for the conflict, had been all the 
night rallying their forces. The shore was 
lined with their war-canoes, and the banks 
were covered with Indian troops drawn up in 
martial array. Gorgeous plumes decorated 
their persons, and the rays of the sun were re- 
flected from their polished weapons. As soon 
as the Spanish boats appeared, the vast army 
of the natives raised shouts of defiance, and the 



THE VOYAGE TO MEXICO. 51 

ear was almost deafened with the clangor of 
their trumpets and drums. 

The battle soon commenced. The sky was 
almost darkened by the shower of arrows thrown 
by those upon the land. The warriors in the 
canoes fought fiercely with their javelins. The 
conflict was bloody, but short. Native valor 
could avail but little against European disci- 
pline and art. The spears, stones, and arrows 
of the natives fell almost harmless upon the hel- 
mets and shields of the Spaniards ; but the bul- 
lets from the guns of the invaders swept like 
hailstones through the crowded ranks of the 
natives, unimpeded by their frail weapons of 
defense. Cortez himself headed a charge which 
broke resistlessly into the hostile ranks. Ap- 
palled by the terrific thunder and lightning of 
the musketry, the Indians soon scattered and 
fled, leaving the ground covered with their 
slain. 

Cortez now reviewed his troops in triumph 
upon the shore. He found that fourteen were 
wounded, but none slain. To attend to the 
wounded and to rest his exhausted men, he 
again encamped. The bloodstained banner of 
the cross, which they had so signally dis- 
honored, floated proudly over their intrench- 
ments. Prayers were offered and mass cele- 
brated in honor of the victory achieved by 
Christian arms against idolaters, The next 



52 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

morning the Spaniards marched unresisted to 
Tabasco, the capital of the province, a large 
town upon the river, but a few miles above the 
place where the invaders had effected a land- 
ing. The inhabitants, men, women, and chil- 
dren, fled from the place in dismay. 

Oortez took possession of the town in the 
name of the King of Spain. But the whole 
surrounding region was now aroused. The na- 
tives, in numbers which could not be counted, 
gathered in the vicinity of Tabasco, and organ- 
ized their forces anew, to repel, if possible, the 
terrible foe. They were assembled on the great 
plain of Ceutla. Cortez had anticipated this, 
and was also gathering his strength for a de- 
cisive battle. He sent to the ships for six 
pieces of cannon, his whole cavalry of sixteen 
horses, and every available man. A few only 
were left to guard the vessels. This powerful re- 
enforcement soon arrived. Thus strengthened, 
his whole army was called together to celebrate 
the solemnities of mass, and to implore the 
blessing of God in extending the triumphs of 
the cross over the kingdom of Satan. Thus 
they marched forth, with powder, and ball, and 
neighing steeds, to the merciless slaughter of 
those brave men who were fighting for their 
country and their homes. 

The Spaniards now advanced to meet their 
foes. It was a lovely morning, the 25th of 



THE VOYAGE TO MEXICO. 53 

March. The natives, in point of civilization, 
raised far above the condition of savages, had 
large fields in a high state of cultivation, wav- 
ing with the rich vegetation of the tropics. 
After a march of three or four miles through a 
country cultivated like a garden, they arrived 
at the ground occupied by the native army. 
The lines of their encampments were so ex- 
tended and yet so crowded that the Spaniards 
estimated their numbers at over forty thousand. 
To meet them in the strife Cortez had but six 
hundred men. But his terrible engines of de- 
struction made his force more powerful than 
theirs. The natives were ready for the battle. 
They greeted their assailants with a war-whoop, 
which rose in thunder tones over the plain, and 
showered upon them volleys of arrows, sling- 
stones, and javelins. At this first discharge, 
seventy Spaniards were wounded and one was 
slain. The conflict soon raged with all imagin- 
able horrors. The natives fought with the cour- 
age of desperation. They seemed even regard- 
less of the death-dealing muskets. And when 
the terrible cannon, with its awful roar, opened 
huge gaps in their ranks, manfully they closed 
up, and with new vigor pressed the onset. The 
odds were so fearful that for some time it 
seemed quite doubtful on which side victory 
would rest. 

Cortez, heading his cavalry, swept around 



54 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

the plain, and, by a circuitous route, came un- 
perceived upon the rear of the tumultuous foe. 
The sixteen horsemen, clad in steel, urging 
their horses to their utmost speed, with loud 
shouts and sabers gleaming in the air, plunged 
into the midst of the throng. Their keen-edged 
swords fell on the right hand and on the left 
upon the almost naked bodies of the natives. 
At the same moment, the energies of musketry 
and artillery were plied with murderous carnage. 

The natives had never seen a horse before. 
They thought the rider and the steed one ani- 
mal. As these terrific monsters, half human, 
half beast, came bounding into their midst, cut- 
ting down and trampling beneath iron hoofs all 
who stood in the way, while at the same time 
the appalling roar of the cannonade seemed to 
shake the very hills, the scene became too aw- 
ful for mortal courage to endure. The whole 
mighty mass, in uncontrollable dismay, fled 
from the presence of foes of such demoniac as- 
pect and energy. The slaughter of these poor 
Indians was so awful that some of the Span- 
iards extravagantly estimated the number left 
dead upon the field at thirty thousand. Though 
many of the Spaniards were wounded, but two 
were killed. 

Cortez immediately assembled his army un- 
der a grove upon the field of battle to give 
thanks to God for the victory. The pomp and 



THE VOYAGE TO MEXICO. 55 

pageantry of war gave place to the pomp and 
pageantry of the Church. Canonical robes and 
banners fluttered in the breeze, processions 
marched, the smoke of incense floated in the 
air, and mass, with all its imposing solemnities, 
was celebrated in the midst of prayers and 
thanksgivings. 

" Then," says Diaz, " after dressing our 
wounds with the fat of Indians whom he found 
dead thereabout, and having placed good guards 
round our post, we ate our supper and went to 
our repose." 

Under the placable influence of these devo- 
tions, the conqueror sent word to the vanquished 
that he would now forgive them if they would 
submit unconditionally to his authority. But 
he declared that if they refused this, he would 
ride over the land, and put everything in it, 
man, woman, and child, to the sword. 

The spirit of resistance was utterly crushed. 
The natives immediately sent a delegation to 
him laden with presents. To impress these 
ambassadors otill more deeply with a sense of 
his power, he exhibited before them the martial 
evolutions of his cavalry, and showed them the 
effects of his artillery as the balls were sped 
crashing through the trees of the forest. The 
natives were now effectually conquered, and 
looked upon the Spaniards as beings of super- 
natural powers, wielding the terrors of thunder 



56 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

and lightning, and whom no mortal energies 
could resist. 

They had become as little children. This 
Cortez thought a very suitable frame of mind 
to secure their conversion. He recommended 
that they should cast down their idols, and ac- 
cept instead the gods of papal Eome. The rec- 
ommendation of Cortez was potent over the now 
pliant natives. They made no opposition while 
the soldiers, whose hands were hardly yet washed 
of the blood of their relatives, hewed down 
their images. With very imposing ceremonies, 
the religion of the conquerors was instituted in 
the temples of Yucatan, and, in honor of the 
Virgin Mary, the name of Tabasco was changed 
into St. Mary of Victory. 

In all this tremendous crime there was ap- 
parently no hypocrisy. Human motives will 
seldom bear rigid scrutiny. Man's best deeds 
are tainted. Cortez was very sincere in his 
desire to overthrow the abominable system of 
idolatry prevailing among the natives. He per- 
haps truly thought that these violent measures 
were necessary to accomplish this object, and 
that Christianity, thus introduced, would prove 
an inestimable blessing. We may abhor his 
conduct, while we can still make generous al- 
lowances for the darkness of his mind and of 
the age in which he lived. It requires infinite 
wisdom to adjust the balance of human deeds. 



THE VOYAGE TO MEXICO. 67 

Two of the Catholic ecclesiastics, Olmedo 
and Diaz, were probably unaffected Christians, 
truly desiring the spiritual renovation of the 
Indians. They felt deeply the worth of the 
soul, and did all they could rightly to instruct 
these unhappy arid deeply-wronged natives. 
They sincerely pitied their sufferings, but 
deemed it wise that the right eye should be 
plucked out, and that the right arm should be 
cut off, rather than that the soul should perish. 
It is a consoling thought, that " like as a father 
pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them 
that fear Him ; for he knoweth our frame, he 
remembereth that we are dust." The natives 
were assembled in their temples ; they came 
together in immense multitudes. The priests, 
through their interpreter, Aguilar, endeavored 
to instruct them in the pure doctrines and the 
sublime mysteries of Christianity. If the na- 
tives perceived a marked difference between 
these precepts and the awful carnage on the 
field of Ceutla, it was not the first time that 
principles and practice have been found dis- 
cordant. 

A grand religious ceremony was instituted 
to commemorate the conversion of the nation. 
The whole army took a part in the solemnities 
of the occasion, with all the martial and eccle- 
siastical pomp which their situation could fur- 
nish. The natives in countless multitudes 



58 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

joined the procession, and gazed with astonish- 
ment upon the scene. Advancing to the 
principal pyramidal temple of Tabasco, which 
was an enormous structure, wi f h a vast area 
upon its summit, they wound around its sides 
in the ascent. Upon this lofty platform, be- 
neath the unclouded sun, with thousands of 
Indians crowding the region around to witness 
the strange spectacle, a Christian altar was 
reared, the images of the Saviour and of the 
Virgin were erected, and mass was celebrated. 
Clouds of incense rose into the still air, and the 
rich voices of the Spanish soldiers swelled the 
solemn chant. It must have been an impres- 
sive scene. There must have been some there 
into whose eye the tear of devotion gushed. 
If there were in that throng — all of whom 
have long since gone to judgment — one single 
broken and contrite heart, that was an offering 
which God could accept. Father Olmedo 
preached upon the occasion " many good things 
touching our holy faith." Twenty Indian girls 
who had been given to the Spanish captains 
for wives were baptized. 

Cortez having thus, in the course of a week, 
annexed the whole of these new provinces of 
unknown extent to Spain, and having con- 
verted the natives to Christianity, prepared for 
his departure. The natives, among their pro- 
pitiatory offerings, had presented to Cortez, as 




5-Com» 



THE VOYAGE TO MEXICO. 59 

we have mentioned, twenty young and beauti- 
ful females whom they had captured from 
hostile tribes, or who in other ways had become 
their slaves. Cortez distributed these unen- 
lightened maidens among his captains, having 
first selected one of the youngest and most 
beautiful of them, Marina, for his wife. Cortez 
had a worthy spouse upon his plantation at 
Cuba. No civil or religious rites sanctioned 
this unhallowed union ; and he was sufficiently 
instructed to know that he was sinning against 
the laws of both God and man ; but the con- 
science of this extraordinary adventurer had 
become involved in labyrinths utterly inexpli- 
cable. He seemed to judge that he was doing 
so much for the cause of Holy Mother Church 
that his own private sins were of little compara- 
tive moment. His many good deeds, he ap- 
peared to think, purchased ample indulgence. 

But Marina was a noble woman. The rela- 
tion which she sustained to Cortez did no 
violence to her instincts or to her conscience. 
She had never been instructed in the school of 
Christ. Polygamy was the religion of her 
land. She deemed herself the honored wife of 
Cortez, and dreamed not of wrong. Marina 
was in all respects an extraordinary woman. 
Nature had done much for her. In person she 
was exceedingly beautiful. She had winning 
manners, and a warm and loving heart. Her 



60 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

mind was of a superior order. She very quickly 
mastered the difficulties of the Castilian tongue, 
and thus spoke three languages with native 
fluency — the Mexican, the Yucatanese, and 
the Spanish. "I am more happy," said she 
one day, " in being the wife of my lord and 
master Cortez, and of having a son by him, 
than if I had been sovereign of all of Kew 
Spain," 

Her career had been eventful in the extrevne. 
She was the daughter of a rich and powerful 
cacique, who was tributary to the Emperor of 
Mexico. Her father died during her infancy, 
and her mother married again. A son by her 
new husband gradually estranged the affections 
of the umnatural mother from her daughter. 
These feelings increased, till she regarded the 
child with deep dislike, and secretly gave her 
away to some slave-drivers, circulating the re- 
port that the child was dead. The slave-mer- 
chants brought her from her distant home, 
where the language of Mexico was her native 
tongue, and sold her to one of the chiefs of 
Tabasco. Here she acquired the language of 
Yucatan. 

There was much in the energy, magnanimity, 
fearlessness, and glowing temperament of Cortez 
to rouse a woman's love. Marina became de- 
votedly attached to him. She watched over his 
interests with a zeal which never slumbered; 



THE VOYAGE TO MEXICO. 61 

and when she became the mother of his son, 
still more tender ties bonnd her to the con- 
queror of her race. In subsequent scenes of 
difficulty and danger, her acquaintance with the 
native language, manners, and customs made 
her an invaluable acquisition to the expedition. 

After a few days spent at Tabasco, the hour 
for departure came. 

The boats, decorated with the banner of the 
cross, and with palm leaves, the symbols of 
happiness and peace, floated down the beauti- 
ful river to the squadron riding at anchor at its 
mouth. Again spreading the sails, and catch- 
ing a favorable breeze, the adventurers were 
wafted rejoicingly on towards the shores of 
Mexico. The newly-converted natives were left 
to meditate upon the instructions which they 
had received — to count the graves of the slain 
— to heal, as they could, the gory wounds and 
splintered bones of their friends, still writhing 
in anguish, and to wail the funeral dirge in the 
desolate homes of the widow and the orphan. 
Seldom, in the history of the world, has such a 
whirlwind of woe so suddenly burst upon any 
people. How long they continued to cherish a 
religion introduced by such harbingers we are 
not informed. 

The sun shone brightly on the broad Mexi- 
can Gulf, and zephyrs laden with fragrance 
from the luxuriant shores swelled the flowing 



62 



HERNANDO COETEZ. 



sheets. As the fleet crept along the land, the 
temples and houses of the natives, and their 
waving fields of grain, were distinctly visible 
from the decks. Many a promontory and head- 
land was covered with multitudes of tawny 
figures, decorated with all the attractions of 
barbarian splendor, gazing upon the fearful 
phenomena of the passing ships. Cortez con- 
tinued his course several hundred miles, sweep- 
ing around the shores of this magnificent gulf, 
until he arrived at the island of San Juan de 
XJlua. He was seeking this spot, which Gri- 
jalva had visited, and here he dropped his 
anchors in one of the harbors of the empire of 
Mexico. 




Spanish Camp at San Juan de Ulua. 




CHAPTER IV. 



FOUNDING A COLONY. 



It was a beautiful afternoon in April when 
the fleet sailed majestically into the Mexican 
bay. Earth, sea, and sky smiled serenely, and 
all the elements of trouble were lulled into re- 
pose. As the ships glided over the smooth 
waters to their sheltered anchorage, a scene, as 
of enchantment, opened around the voyagers. 
In the distance, on glassy slopes, and in the 
midst of luxuriant groves, the villages and rural 
dwellings of the natives were thickly scattered. 
The shores were covered with an eager multi- 
tude, contemplating with wonder and awe the 
sublime spectacle of the fleet. 

Hardly were the anchors dropped ere two 
canoes shot from the shore, filled with natives. 
The ship in which Cortez sailed was more im- 
posing than the rest, and the banner of Spain 
floated proudly from its topmast. The Mexi- 
cans steered promptly for this vessel, and, with 
the most confiding frankness, ascended its 
sides. Two of the persons in these boats were 

63 



64 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

men of high distinction in the Mexican empire. 
As Marina understood their language perfectly, 
and the liberated Spanish captive Aguilar was 
thoroughly acquainted with the language of the 
Tabascans, there was no difficulty in the inter- 
change of ideas. One of these men was the 
governor of the province in which Cortez had 
landed ; the other was commander-in-chief of 
all the military forces in that province. It has 
been mentioned that Grijalva had previously 
landed at this spot, and given it the name of 
San Juan de Ulua. The Mexicans had thus 
some knowledge of the formidable strangers 
who were invading the New World, and in va- 
rious ways tidings, for now the quarter of a 
century, had been reaching their ears of the 
appalling power of this new race. 

Perhaps to this fact is to be attributed the 
general and discouraging impression which then 
prevailed, that a fearful calamity which nothing 
could avert was impending over the nation ; 
that it was the decree of destiny that a strange 
race, coming from the rising of the sun, should 
overwhelm and desolate their country. 

The two chiefs brought Cortez a present of 
bread, fruit, fowls, flowers, and golden orna- 
ments. The interview was conducted by the 
interchange of the most formal social ceremo- 
nies of Mexico and of Spain. Cortez invited his 
guests to remain and. dine. The communica- 



FOUNDING A COLONY. 65 

tion between them was necessarily slow, as Ma- 
rina interpreted their speech to Aguilar, and 
Aguilar to Cortez. The Spanish commander, 
however, thus ascertained the most important 
facts which he wished to know respecting the 
great empire of Mexico. He learned that two 
hundred miles in the interior was situated the 
capital of the empire, and that a monarch 
named Montezuma, beloved and revered by his 
subjects, reigned over the extended realm. The 
country was divided into provinces, over each 
of which a governor presided. The province in 
which Cortez had landed was under the sway 
of Governor Teutile, who resided about twenty 
miles in the interior. 

Cortez, though uninvited, immediately, with 
great energy and boldness, landed his whole 
force upon the beach. He constructed a forti- 
fied camp, and planted his heavy artillery upon 
the surrounding hillocks to sweep all the ap- 
proaches. Characteristically it is recorded that, 
having posted their artillery, they raised an 
altar, and not till after that was done did they 
erect barracks for themselves. The friendly 
natives aided the Spaniards in building huts, 
brought them presents of flowers and food, and 
eutered into an active traffic, in which both 
parties exulted in the great bargains which 
they made. Thus the Mexicans warmed the 
vipers who were fatally to sting them. 



66 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

It was indeed a novel scene, worthy of the 
pencil of the painter, which that beach pre- 
sented day by day. Men, women, and children, 
boys and girls, in all the variety of barbaric 
costume, thronged the encampment. Mexicans 
and Spaniards mingled merrily in all the peace- 
ful and joyful confusion of a fair. The rumor 
of the strange visitors spread far and wide, and 
each day increasing multitudes were assembled. 

The intelligence was speedily communicated 
to Governor Teutile. With a numerous reti- 
nue, he set out from his palace to visit his unin- 
vited guests, and to ascertain their object and 
purposes. The governor entered the Spanish 
camp accompanied by the commander-in-chief 
of all the provincial forces. Each party vied 
in the external demonstrations of respect and 
friendship. The eyes of the Spaniards glistened 
with avarice as Teutile spread before Cortez 
many valuable ornaments of massive silver and 
gold, wrought in exquisite workmanship. The 
sight inflamed them with more intense desires 
to penetrate a country where such treasures 
could be obtained. After a splendid repast 
given by the Spaniards, Cortez said to his vis- 
itors, 

"I am the subject of Charles V., the most 
powerful monarch in the world. My sovereign 
has heard of the greatness and the glory of Mon- 
tezuma, the Emperor of Mexico. I am sent to 



FOUNDING A COLONY. 67 

his court to convey the respects of my sover- 
eign, to offer suitable presents, and to confer 
with him upon matters of great moment. It is 
therefore my desire to proceed immediately to 
the capital, to accomplish the purposes of my 
mission." 

Teutile could not conceal the uneasiness with 
which he heard this avowal. He knew that 
Montezuma and all the most intelligent men of 
the nation contemplated with dread the power 
and the encroachments of the Europeans, now 
so firmly established on the islands of the Ca- 
ribbean Sea. With embarrassment he replied, 

" I hear with pleasure of the magnificence of 
your sovereign. Our monarch is not less glo- 
rious. No earthly king can surpass him in 
wealth or goodness. You have been but a few 
days in these realms, and yet you are impatient 
to be admitted, without delay, into the presence 
of Montezuma. Our king will doubtless hear 
with pleasure from your sovereign, and receive 
his ambassador honorably. But it will be first 
necessary to inform him of your arrival, that he 
may communicate to you his royal pleasure." 

Cortez was exceedingly annoyed by this de- 
lay. Deeming it, however, important to secure 
the friendship of the Mexicans, he consented to 
wait until the return of the couriers who were 
immediately to be sent to Montezuma. The 
natives were not acquainted with the alphabet, 



68 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

but they had in use a sort of picture writing 
delineating upon fine cotton cloth pictures of 
scenes which they wished to represent. Teu- 
tile requested that his painters might be per- 
mitted to take a sketch of the Spaniards and 
their equipage. Consent being obtained, the 
painters commenced their work, which they ex- 
ecuted with remarkable rapidity and skill. The 
fleet in the harbor, the encampment upon the 
shore, the muskets, the artillery, the horses, all 
were delineated true to life. They were so ac- 
curate in the figures and portraits of Cortez and 
his leading companions that the Spaniards im- 
mediately recognized them. 

When Cortez observed this remarkable skill, 
that he might impress Montezuma the more 
deeply with a sense of his power, he ordered his 
whole force to be assembled for a military re- 
view. The trumpets pealed forth the martial 
summons which the well-drilled band so per- 
fectly understood. The troops instantly formed 
in order of battle. Infantry, artillery, cav- 
alry, all were at their posts. The most intri- 
cate and beautiful maneuvers were performed. 
Martial music contributed its thrilling charms ; 
banners floated in the breeze ; helmets, cuirasses, 
swords, and polished muskets gleamed in the 
rays of the unclouded sun. Mounted horse- 
men bounded over the plain in the terrific 
ofrarge ; and the artillerymen, with rapid evolt^ 



f OTODING A COLONY. 69 

tions, moved to and fro, dragging over the sands 
their lumbering yet mysterious engines of de- 
struction, whose awful roar and terrific power 
the Mexicans had not yet witnessed. It was a 
gorgeous spectacle even to eyes accustomed to 
such scenes. The Mexicans, in countless thou- 
sands, gazed upon it in silent amazement, But 
when, at the close, Cortez placed his cannon 
in battery, and ordered a simultaneous dis- 
charge, aiming the heavily-shotted guns into 
the dense forest, the bewilderment of the poor 
natives passed away into unspeakable terror. 
They saw the lightning flash, they heard the 
roar, louder than the heaviest thunders. As 
the iron storm was shot through the forest, the 
limbs of the gigantic trees came crashing to 
the ground. Dense volumes of sulphurous 
smoke enveloped them. Even the boldest 
turned pale, and the timid shrieked and fled. 

Cortez was much pleased in seeing how deeply 
he had impressed his visitors with a sense of 
his power. The painters made a very accurate 
delineation of the whole scene to be transmitted 
to Montezuma. They then, with much cere- 
mony, departed. 

The police regulations of Mexico were in 
some respects in advance of that which then 
prevailed in Europe. For the rapid transmis- 
sion of intelligence from the remotest bounds of 
the empire to the capital, well-trained runners 



70 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

were posted, at suitable stations, all along the 
principal roads. Each, man had a short stage, 
which he passed over with great rapidity, and 
communicated his message, verbal or written in 
the picture language, to a fresh runner. Bur- 
dens and governmental officers were also rapidly 
transmitted, in a sort of palanquin, in the 
same way, from post to post, by relays of men. 

A week passed while Cortez remained impa- 
tiently in his encampment awaiting an answer 
to the message sent to Montezuma. The 
friendly natives, in the mean time, supplied 
the Spaniards with everything they could need. 
By the command of the governor, Teutile, more 
than a thousand huts of branches of trees and 
of cotton matting were reared in the vicinity of 
the encampment for the accommodation of the 
Mexicans, who, without recompense, were abun- 
dantly supplying the table of Cortez and of his 
troops. 

On the eighth day an embassy arrived at the 
camp from the Mexican capital. Two nobles 
of the court, accompanied by a retinue of a 
hundred men of burden, laden with magnificent 
gifts from Montezuma, presented themselves 
before the pavilion of Cortez. The ambassa- 
dors saluted the Spanish chieftain with the 
greatest reverence, bowing before him, and sur- 
rounding him with clouds of incense, which 
arose from waving censers borne by their at- 



FOUNDING A COLONY. 71 

tendants. The presents which they brought, 
in silver, in gold, in works of art, utility, and 
beauty, excited the rapture and the amazement 
of the Spaniards. There were specimens of 
workmanship in the precious metals which no 
artists in Europe could rival. A Spanish hel- 
met which had been sent to Montezuma was 
returned filled with grains of pure gold, These 
costly gifts were opened before Cortez in lavish 
abundance, and they gave indications of opu- 
lence hitherto undreamed of. After they had 
been sufficiently examined and admired, one of 
the ambassadors very courteously said, 

" Our master is happy to send these tokens 
of his respect to the King of Spain. He re- 
grets that he cannot enjoy an interview with 
the Spaniards. But the distance of his capital 
is too great, and the perils of the journey are 
too imminent to allow of this pleasure. The 
strangers are therefore requested to return to 
their own homes with these proofs of the 
friendly feelings of Montezuma.'" 

Cortez was much chagrined. He earnestly, • 
however, renewed his application for permission 
to visit the emperor. But the ambassadors, as 
they retired, assured him that another applica- 
tion would be unavailing. They, however, 
took a few meager presents of shirts and toys, 
which alone remained to Cortez, and departed 
on their journey of two hundred mile3, with 



72 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

the reiterated and still more earnest application 
from Cortez for permission to visit the emperor. 
It was now evident that the Mexicans had re- 
ceived instructions from the court, and that all 
were anxious that the Spaniards should leave 
the country. Though the natives manifested 
no hostility, they immediately became cold and 
reserved, and ceased to supply the camp with 
food. With the Spaniards the charm of novelty 
was over. Insects annoyed them. They were 
blistered by the rays of a meridian sun, reflected 
from the burning sands of the beach. Sickness 
entered the camp, and thirty died. Disaffec- 
tion began to manifest itself, and some were 
anxious to return to Cuba. 

But the treasures which had been received 
from Montezuma, so rich and so abundant, in- 
spired Cortez and. his gold-loving companions 
with the most intense desire to penetrate an 
empire of so much opulence. They, however, 
waited patiently ten days, when the ambassadors 
again returned. As before, they came laden 
with truly imperial gifts. The gold alone of 
the ornaments which they brought was valued 
by the Spaniards at more than fifty thousand 
dollars. The message from Montezuma was, 
however, still more peremptory than the first. 
He declared that he could not permit the Span- 
iards to approach his capital. Cortez, though 
excessively vexed, endeavored to smother the 



FOUNDING A COLONY. 73 

outward expression of his irritation. He gave 
the ambassadors a courteous response, but, 
turning to his officers, he said, 

" This is truly a rich and a powerful prince. 
Yet it shall go hard but we will one day pay 
him a visit in his capital. 51 

"At this moment," says Diaz, "the bell 
tolled for the Ave Maria, and all of us fell upon 
our knees before the holy cross. The Mexican 
noblemen being very inquisitive to know the 
meaning of this, Cortez hinted to the reverend 
father Olmedo the propriety of a sermon, such 
as should convey to them the truths of our holy 
faith. Father Olmedo accordingly preached, 
like an excellent theologian which he was, ex- 
plaining the mysteries of the cross, at the sight 
of which the evil beings they worshiped as gods 
fled away. These subjects, and much more, he 
dilated upon. It was perfectly explained to 
the Mexicans and understood by them, and 
they promised to relate all they had seen and 
heard to their sovereign. He also declared to 
them that among the principal objects of our 
mission thither were those of putting a stop to 
human sacrifices, injustices and idolatrous wor- 
ship ; and then, presenting them with an image 
of our Holy Virgin, with her son in her arms, 
he desired them to take it with them, to vene- 
rate it, and to plant crosses similar to that 
before them in their temples," 

6— Cortej 



74 HERKANDO CORTEZ. 

The ambassadors again retired with dignity 
and with courtesy, yet with reserve indicative 
of deep displeasure at the pertinacity of the 
Spaniards. That night every hut of the natives 
was abandoned. Wheu the morning sun arose, 
silence and solitude reigned upon the spot 
which had so recently witnessed the life and the 
clamor of an innumerable multitude. Cortez 
and his companions were left alone. The long 
hours of the tropical day passed slowly, and no 
native approached the encampment. No food 
was to be obtained. Not only was all friendly 
intercourse thus suspended, but the Spaniards 
had much reason to fear that preparations were 
making for an assault. The murmuring in the 
camp increased. Two parties were formed : 
one party were in favor of returning to Cuba, 
affirming that it was madness to think of the 
subjugation by force of arms of so mighty an 
empire with so feeble an armament. One of 
the generals, Diego de Ordaz, was deputed by 
the disaffected to communicate these sentiments 
to Cortez, and to assure him that it was the 
general voice of the army. 

The shrewdness of this extraordinary man 
was peculiarly conspicuous in this crisis. He 
promptly, and apparently with cordiality, as- 
sented to their views, and began to make ar- 
rangements to relinquish the enterprise. Orders 
were issued to commence the re-embarkation, 



FOUNDING A COLONY. 75 

"While thus dissimulating, he roused his 
friends to effort, and secretly employed all his 
powers to excite a mutiny in the camp against 
a return. Every motive was plied to stimulate 
the bold and the avaricious to persevere in an 
undertaking where glory and wealth held out 
such attractions. His emissaries were com- 
pletely successful. The whole camp was in a 
ferment. Before the sun went down, a large 
party of the soldiers surrounded his tent, as in 
open mutiny. They declared that, having en- 
tered upon a majestic enterprise, it was pol- 
troonery to abandon it upon the first aspect of 
danger ; that they were determined to perse- 
vere, and that, if Oortez wished to return with 
the cowards to Cuba, they would instantly 
choose another general to guide them in the 
career of glory upon which they had entered. 

Cortez was delighted with the success of his 
stratagem. He, however, affected surprise and 
declaredthat his orders for re-embarking were is- 
sued from the persuasion that the troops wished 
to return ; that, to gratify them, he had 
been willing to sacrifice his own private judg- 
ment. He assured the mutineers that it af- 
forded him the highest gratification to find that 
they were true Oastilians, with minds elevated 
to the accomplishment of heroic deeds. He 
affirmed that before such strong arms and bold 
hearts all peril would vanish. The applause 



76 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

with which this speech was greeted was so long 
and enthusiastic that even the murmnrers were 
soon induced to join the acclamations. Thus 
adroitly Cortez again enthroned himself as the 
undisputed chieftain of an enthusiastic band. 

He decided immediately to establish a settle- 
ment on the sea-coast as the nucleus of a col- 
ony. From that point as the basis of opera- 
tions, he would, with the terrors of artillery 
and cavalry, boldly penetrate the interior. He 
assembled the principal officers of the army, 
and by their suffrages elected the magistrates 
and a council for the new colony. He skil- 
fully so arranged it that all the magistrates 
chosen were his warm partizans. 

The council assembled for the organization, 
of the government. As soon as the assembly 
was convened, Cortez asked permission to enter 
it. Bowing with the most profound respect 
before the new government thus organized, 
that he might set an example of the most hum- 
ble and submissive obedience, he addressed 
them in the following terms : 

' c By the establishment of the colony and the 
organization of the colonial government, this 
august tribunal is henceforth invested with su- 
preme jurisdiction, and is clothed with the au- 
thority, and represents the person of the sover- 
eign. I accordingly present myself before you 
with the same dutiful fidelity as if I were ad- 



FOUNDING A COLONY. 77 

dressing my royal master. The safety of this 
colony, threatened by the hostility of a mighty 
empire, depends upon the subordination and 
discipline preserved among the troops. But 
my right to command is derived from a com- 
mission granted by the Governor of Cuba. As 
that commission has been long since revoked, 
my right to command may well be questioned. 
It is of the utmost importance, in the present 
condition of affairs, that the commander-in- 
chief should not act upon a dubious title. 
There is now required the most implicit obedi- 
ence to orders, and the army cannot act with 
efficiency if it has any occasion to dispute the 
powers of its general. 

" Moved by these considerations, I now re- 
sign into your hands, as the representatives of 
the sovereign, all my authority. As you alone 
have the right to choose, and the power to con- 
fer full jurisdiction, upon you it devolves to 
choose some one, in the king's name, to guide 
the army in its future operations. For my 
own part, such is my zeal in the service in 
which we are engaged, that I would most cheer- 
fully take up a pike with the same hand which 
lays down the general's truncheon, and convince 
my fellow-soldiers that, though accustomed to 
command, [ have not forgotten how to obey." 

Thus saying, he laid his commission from 
Velasquez upon the table, and after kissing his 



78 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

truncheon, delivered it to the chief magistrate 
and withdrew. This was consummate acting. 
The succeeding steps were all previously ar- 
ranged. He was immediately elected, by unan- 
imous suffrage, chief justice of the colony, and 
captain-general of the army. His commission 
was ordered to be made out in the name of 
Charles V. of Spain, and was to continue in 
force until the royal pleasure should be farther 
known. The troops were immediately assem- 
bled and informed of the resolve. They rati- 
fied it with unbounded applause. The air re- 
sounded with acclamations, and all vowed obe- 
dience, even to death, to the authority of Cor- 
tez. Thus adroitly this bold adventurer shook 
off his dependence upon Velasquez, and as- 
sumed the dignity of an independent governor, 
responsible only to his sovereign. 

There were a few adherents of Velasquez 
who remonstrated against these unprecedented 
measures. Cortez, with characteristic energy, 
seized them and placed them in imprisonment, 
loaded with chains, on board one of the ships. 
This rigor overawed and silenced the rest. 
Cortez, however, soon succeeded, by flattering 
attentions and by gifts, in securing a cordial 
reconciliation with his opponents. He was 
now strong in undisputed authority. 

In the midst of these events, one day five In- 
dians of rank came, in rather a mysterious 



FOUNDING A COLONY. 79 

manner, to the camp, and solicited an interview 
with Oortez. They represented themselves as 
envoys from the chief of Zempoalla, a large 
town at no great distance. This chief reigned 
over the powerful nation of Totonacs. His 
people had been conquered by Montezuma, and 
annexed to the Mexican empire. They were 
restive under the yoke, and would gladly avail 
themselves of an alliance with the Spaniards 
to regain their independence. 

Cortez listened eagerly to this statement. It 
presented just the opportunity which he desired. 
He saw at once that by exciting civil war, and 
arraying one portion of the empire against an- 
other, he might accomplish his ends. He also 
judged that, in an empire so vast, there must 
be other provinces where disaffection could be 
excited. He therefore received these envoys 
most graciously, and promised very soon to visit 
their metropolis. 

The spot where Oortez had landed was not a 
good location for the establishment of a city. 
A party was sent along the coast to seek a 
better harbor for the ships and a more eligible 
site for the city. At the expiration of twelve 
days the party returned, having discovered a 
fine harbor and fertile soil at a little village 
called Quiabislan, about forty miles to the 
northward. This village was fortunately but a 
few miles distant from Zempoalla. Most of the 



80 HERNANDO CORTE2. 

heavy guns were re-embarked, and the fleet 
was ordered to coast along the shore to the ap- 
pointed rendezvous at Quiabislan. Then, head- 
ing his troops, he set out on a bold march across 
the country to meet his fleet, arranging to pass 
through Zempoalla by the way. 

The beauty of the country through which 
they marched entranced the hearts even of these 
stern warriors. They were never weary of ex- 
pressing their delight in view of the terrestrial 
paradise which they had discovered. When the 
Spaniards had arrived within three miles of 
Zempoalla, a delegation met them from the 
city, accompanied by a vast concourse of men 
and women. The adventurers were greeted 
with courteous words, and gifts of gold, and 
fruits, and flowers. The natives possessed many 
attractions of person, and their frank and 
friendly manners were peculiarly winning. A 
singular degree of mental refinement was to be 
seen io their passionate love of flowers, with 
which they adorned their persons, and which 
bloomed, in the utmost profusion, around their 
dwellings. Cortez and his steed were almost 
covered with wreaths and garlands of roses, 
woven by the fair hands of his newly-found 
friends. 

The Spaniards were quite amazed in enter- 
ing the city of Zempoalla. They found a beau- 
tiful town, with streets perfectly clean — for 



FOUNDING A COLONY. 81 

they had no beasts of burden — lined with spa- 
cious stone houses, and shaded with ornamental 
trees. These paved streets were kept almost 
as free from litter as a parlor floor, and they 
were thronged with, apparently, a refined and 
happy people. A tropical sun, whose rays 
were tempered by the ocean breeze, fell warmly 
upon them during all the months of the year. 
Soil of astonishing fertility supplied them abun- 
dantly with food, while a genial climate invited 
them to indulgence and repose. At first glance 
it would seem that the doom of Adam's fall 
had not yet reached the dwellings of Zempoalla. 
A few hours' residence in the city, however, 
conclusively proved that here, as elsewhere, man 
is born to mourn. 

As Cortez entered the gates of the city, he 
was met and welcomed with great pomp by the 
cacique of Zempoalla. He was excessively cor- 
pulent, but very polite and highly polished in 
his manners. Marina and Aguilar acted as 
interpreters. 

"lam come "said Cortez, "from the ends 
of the earth. I serve a monarch who is pow- 
erful, and whose goodness equals his power. 
He has sent me hither, that I may give some 
account of the inhabitants of this part of the 
world. He has commanded me to do good to 
all men, and particularly to aid the oppressed 
and to punish their oppressors. To you, Lor4 



82 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

of Zempoalla, I oiler my services. Whatever 
you may command, I and my troops will cheer- 
fully perform." 

The cacique of Zempoalla replied, 

" Gracious stranger, I cannot sufficiently 
commend your benevolence, and none can stand 
more in need of it. You see before you a man 
wearied out with unmerited wrongs. I and 
my people are crushed and trodden under foot 
by the most tyrannical power upon earth. We 
were once an independent and a happy people, 
but the prosperity of the Totonacs is now de- 
stroyed. The power of our nobles is gone. 
We are robbed of the produce of oar fields. 
Our sons are torn from us for sacrifices, and 
our daughters for slaves. 

" The Mexicans are our conquerors and op- 
pressors. They heap these calamities upon us, 
robbing us of our substance, and despoiling us 
of our children. In the pride of aggression, 
they have marched from conquest to conquest, 
till they gather tribute from every land. And 
now, mighty warrior, we implore of thy strength 
and kindness that thou wouldst enable us to 
resist these tyrants, and deliver us from their 
exactions." 

Cortez warily replied: "I will gladly aid 
you, but let us not be rash. I will dwell with 
you a while, and whenever I shall see a suitable 
occasion to punish your enemies and to relieve 



FOUNDING A COLONY. 83 

you from their impositions, you may rely upon 
my aid to humble their pride and power." 

The rugged army of Cortez then advanced 
through the streets of Zempoalla to the spacious 
courtyard of the temple assigned for their ac- 
commodation. As in solid column, with float- 
ing banners and bugle notes, they paraded the 
streets, headed by the cavalry of sixteen horses, 
animals the Totonacs had never seen before, 
and followed by the lumbering artillery — in- 
struments, in the eyes of the Totonacs, of super- 
natural power — which, with thunder roar, sped 
lightning bolts, the natives gazed with admira- 
tion upon the imposing spectacle, and the air 
resounded with their applause. 

The next morning Cortez, with most of his 
army, continued his march some twelve miles 
farther to meet his fleet at Quiabislan. The 
cacique hospitably sent with him four hundred 
men of harden to convey his baggage. The 
spot which had been selected as the site of the 
new town, which was to be the capital of the 
Spanish colony, met the approbation of Cortez. 
He immediately commenced erecting huts and 
surrounding the town with fortifications of suf- 
ficient strength to resist any assault from the 
natives. Every man in the army, the officers 
as well as the soldiers, engaged laboriously in 
this work. No one toiled in this enterprise 
with more patient endurance than the extraor- 



84 HEBNANDO CORTEZ. 

dinary commander of this extraordinary band. 
The Totonacs from Zempoalla and Quiabislan, 
encouraged by their caciques, also lent their aid 
to the enterprise with hearty good-will. Thou- 
sands of hands were thus employed ; provisions 
flowed into the camp in all abundance, and the 
works proceeded with great rapidity. The 
vicinity was densely populated, and large num- 
bers of the listless natives, women and children, 
were attracted to the spot to witness the busy 
scene, so novel and so exciting. 

But such proceedings could not escape the 
vigilance of the officers of Montezuma. In the 
midst of this state of things, suddenly one day 
a strange commotion was witnessed in the 
crowd, and the natives, both people and chiefs, 
gave indications of great terror. Eive strangers 
appeared — tall, imposing men, with bou- 
quets of flowers in their hands, and followed 
by obsequious attendants. Haughtily these 
strangers passed through the place, looking 
sternly upon the Spaniards, without deigning 
to address them either by a word or a gesture. 
They were lords from the court of Montezuma. 
Their power was invincible and terrible. They 
had witnessed with their own eyes these re- 
bellious indications of the subjects of Mexico. 
The chiefs of the Totonacs turned pale with 
consternation. All this was explained to Cortez 
by Marina, 



FOUNDING A COLONY. 85 

The Totonac chiefs were imperiously sum- 
moned to appear immediately before the lords 
of Montezuma. Like terrified children they 
obeyed. Soon they returned, trembling, to 
Cortez, and informed him that the Mexican 
lords were indignant at the support which they 
had afforded the Spaniards, contrary to the ex- 
press will of their emperor, and that they de- 
manded as the penalty twenty young men and 
twenty young women of the Totonacs, to be 
offered in sacrifice to their gods. 

Cortez assumed an air of indignation and of 
authority as he eagerly availed himself of this 
opportunity of promoting an open rupture be- 
tween the Totonacs and the Mexicans. He 
declared that he would never consent to any 
such abominable practises of heathenism. He 
haughtily commanded the Totonac chiefs im- 
mediately to arrest the lords of Montezuma, 
and throw them into prison. The poor chiefs 
were appalled beyond measure at the very idea 
of an act so irrevocable and so unpardonable. 
They had long been accustomed to consider 
Montezuma as possessing power which nothing 
on earth could resist. Montezuma swayed the 
scepter of a Caesar, and bold indeed must he be 
who would venture to brave his wrath. 

But, on the other hand, they had already 
offended beyond hope of pardon by entertain- 
ing the intruders contrary to the positive com- 



86 HERNANDO CORTEZ* 

mand of their sovereign. Twenty of their sons 
and daughters were to bleed upon the altars of 
sacrifice. Their only hope was now in Cortez. 
Should he abandon them, they were ruined 
hopelessly. They deemed it possible that, with 
the thunder and the lightning at his command, 
he might be able to set at defiance that mighty 
Mexican power which had hitherto been found 
invincible. 

In this dreadful dilemma, they yielded to 
the inexorable demand of Cortez, and trem- 
blingly arrested the Mexican lords. The Eubi- 
con was now passed. The Totonacs were from 
that moment the abject slaves of Cortez. Their 
only protection from the most awful doom was 
in his strong arm, and their persons, their 
property, their all, were entirely at his dis- 
posal. 

Cortez then condescended to perform a deed 
of cunning and of perfidy which has left a stain 
upon his character which never can be washed 
away. In the night he ordered one of his peo- 
ple secretly to assist two of the Mexican lords 
in their escape. They were privately brought 
into his presence. With guileful words, which 
ought to have blistered his tongue, he declared 
that they, by their arrest, had received insult 
and outrage from the Totonacs, which he sin- 
cerely regretted, and would gladly have pre- 
vented. He assured them of the great pleas- 



FOUNDING A COLONY. 87 

lire which it afforded him to aid them in their 
escape. He promised to do everything in his 
power to secure the release of the others, and 
wished them to return to the court of their 
monarch, and assure him of the friendly spirit 
of the Spaniards, of which this act was to be a 
conspicuous proof. He then sent six strong 
rowers to convey them secretly in a boat be- 
yond the reach of pursuit. The next morning, 
in the same guileful way, all the rest were lib- 
erated, and sent with a similar message to the 
court of Montezuma. 

Such was the treachery with which Cortez 
rewarded his faithful allies. With perfidy so 
detestable, he endeavored to foment civil dis- 
cord in the empire of Montezuma, pretending 
to be himself the friend of each of the parties 
whose hostility he had excited, and ready to 
espouse either side which might appear most 
available for the promotion of his ambitious 
plans. History has no language too severe to 
condemn an action so utterly abominable. It 
is treason to virtue to speak mildly of atrocious 
crime. 

Cortez named the infant city he was erecting 
The Rich City of the True Cross, Villa Rica 
de la Vera Cruz. " The two principles of av- 
arice and enthusiasm/' says Eobertson, " which 
prompted the Spaniards in all their enterprises 
in the New World, seemed to have concurred 

7— Cortei £) 



88 HERHANDO CORTEZ. 

in suggesting the name which Cortez bestowed 
on his infant settlement/' This city was a few 
miles north of the present city of Vera Cruz. 

While Cortez was busily employed in laying 
the foundations of his colony, and gathering 
around him native aid in preparation for a 
march into the interior, another embassy from 
the court of Montezuma appeared in the busy 
streets of Vera Cruz. The Mexican emperor, 
alarmed by the tidings he received of the per- 
sistent boldness of the Spaniards, and of their 
appalling and supernatural power, deemed it 
wise to accept the courtesy which had been 
offered him in the liberation of his imprisoned 
lords, and to adopt a conciliatory policy. The 
Totonacs were amazed by this evidence that 
even the mighty Montezuma was overawed by 
the power of the Spaniards. This greatly in- 
creased their veneration for their European 
allies. 



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Ruins of an Aztec Palace* 




CHAPTER Y. 



THE TLASCALAKS SUBJUGATED. 



The Totonacs were now exceedingly exult- 
ant. They were unwearied in extolling their 
allies, and in proclaiming their future inde- 
pendence of their Mexican conquerors. They 
urged other neighboring provinces to join 
them, and become the vassals of the omnipo- 
tent Spaniards. They raised a strong army, 
which they placed under the command of 
Cortez to obey his bidding. To strengthen the 
bonds of alliance, the cacique of Zempoalla 
selected eight of the most beautiful maidens of 
his country, all of the first families, to be 
united in marriage to the Spanish generals. 
Cortez courteously but decisively informed the 
chief that, before such union could be con- 
summated, these maidens must all renounce 
idolatry and be baptized. The Totonacs, with- 
out much apparent reluctance, yielded. Em- 
boldened by this success, Cortez now made 
very strenuous efforts to induce the chief and 
all the tribe to abandon their idols and the 

89 



90 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

cruel rites of heathenism, and to accept in their 
stead the symbols of Christianity. 

But upon this point the cacique was inflex- 
ible. " We honor your friendship, noble Cor- 
tez," he firmly replied, "and we are grateful 
to you for the generous interest you take in our 
welfare ; but the gods are greater than man. 
Earthly benefactors are but the ministers of 
their favor. Gratitude to the gods is our first 
duty. Health, plenty, all blessings are from 
their bounty. We dread their anger more 
than the displeasure of the mightiest of men. 
Should we offend them, inevitable destruction 
will overwhelm me and my people." 

Cortez was provoked by such obstinacy. He 
was incapable of appreciating the nobility of 
these sentiments, and of perceiving that such 
minds needed but instruction to lead them to 
reverence the true God. The sincere idolater, 
who worships according to the little knowledge 
he has, is immeasurably elevated, in dignity of 
character, above the mere nominal Christian, 
who knows the true God, and yet disregards 
him. But Cortez, inspired by fanatic zeal, 
treated these men, who deserved tender consid- 
eration, with insult and contempt. He resolved 
recklessly to demolish their idols, and to com- 
pel the Totonacs to receive in exchange the 
images of Eome. 

He immediately assembled his soldiers, and 



THE TLASCALAKS STJBJUCATED. 91 

thus addressed them : " Soldiers ! We are 
Spaniards. We inherit from our ancestors the 
love of our holy faith. Let us prostrate these 
vile images. Let us plant the cross, and call 
the heathen to the feet of that holy symbol. 
Heaven will never smile upon our enterprise if 
we countenance the atrocities of heathenism. 
For my part, I am resolved that these pagan 
idols shall be destroyed this very hour, even if 
it cost me my life." 

The fanaticism of the Spaniards was now ef- 
fectually roused. In solid column, a strong di- 
vision marched toward one of the most impos- 
ing of the Totonac temples. The alarm spread 
wildly through the thronged streets of Zempo- 
alla. The whole population seized their arms 
to defend their gods. A scene of fearful con- 
fusion ensued. Firmly the inflexible Spaniards 
strode on. Fifty men ascended the winding 
stairs to the summit of the pyramidal temple, 
tore down the massive wooden idols, and tum- 
bled them into the streets. They then col- 
lected the mutilated fragments, and burned 
them to ashes. The Indians looked on in dis- 
may, with tears and groans. 

The heathen temple was then emptied, swept, 
and garnished. The Totonac chiefs, and the 
priests clotted with the blood of their brutal 
sacrifices, now docile as children, obeyed obse- 
quiously the demands of the haughty reformer. 



92 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

He ordered these unenlightened pagan priests 
to have their heads shorn, to be dressed in the 
white robes of the Catholic priesthood, and, 
with lighted candles in their hands, they were 
constrained to assist in performing the rites of 
the papal Church. An image of the Virgin was 
installed in the shrine which had been polluted 
by all the horrid orgies of pagan abominations. 
Mass was celebrated upon the altar where hu- 
man hearts, gory and quivering, had for ages 
been offered in awful sacrifice. The prayers 
and the chants of Christianity ascended from 
the spot were idolaters had slain their victims 
and implored vengeance upon their foes. 

Cortez then himself earnestly and eloquently 
harangued the people, assuring them that hence- 
forth the Spaniards and the Totonacs were 
Christian brothers, and that under the protec- 
tion of the Holy Virgin, the mother of Christ, 
they would both certainly be blessed. 

Violent as were these deeds, it is undeniable 
that they ushered in a blessed change. The 
very lowest and most corrupt form of Christian- 
ity is infinitely superior to the most refined cre- 
ations of paganism. The natives gradually re- 
covered from their terror. They gazed with 
admiration upon the pageant of the mass, with 
its gorgeous accompaniments of incense, music, 
embroidered robes, and solemn processions. 
The Spanish historians who witnessed the 



THE TLA SC ALANS SUBJUGATED. 93 

scene record that many of the Indians were so 
overcome with pious emotions, in thus behold- 
ing, for the first time, the mysteries of Chris- 
tianity, that they freely wept. No more resist- 
ance was made. The Totonacs, thus easily 
converted, apparently with cheerfulness ex- 
changed the bloody and hideous idols of Mex- 
ico for the more attractive and more merciful 
idols of Rome. Let not this remark be attrib- 
uted to want of candor ; for no one can deny 
that, to these uninstructed natives, it was merely 
an exchange of idols. 

Cortez had now been in Mexico nearly three 
months. Every moment had been occupied in 
the accomplishment of objects which he deemed 
of fundamental importance. He was, how- 
ever, evidently somewhat embarrassed respect- 
ing the validity of his title to command. It 
was at least doubtful whether the king would 
recognize the authority of a colony established 
in so novel a manner. Cortez also well knew 
that Velasquez would apply to his sovereign for 
redress for the injuries which he had received. 
The danger was by no means small that, by the 
command of the king, Cortez would be degraded 
and punished as a usurper of power. 

Before commencing his march into the inte- 
rior, he deemed it of the utmost importance to 
take every possible precaution against this dan- 
ger. He influenced the magistrates of Vera 



94 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

Cruz to address a letter to the Spanish sover- 
eign in justification of the course which had 
been pursued, and to implore the king to ratify 
what had been done in his name, and to con- 
firm Cortez in the supreme command. Cortez 
also wrote himself a long and labored letter to 
the Emperor Charles V., full of protestations 
of loyalty and of zeal for the wealth and the re- 
nown of the Spanish court. To add weight to 
his letter, it was accompanied by as rich treas- 
ures from the New World as he had thus far 
been able to accumulate. Such was the ascend- 
ency which this extraordinary man had at- 
tained over the minds of his associate, and so 
confident were they in their anticpations of 
boundless wealth, that all the soldiers, without 
a murmur at the suggestion of Cortez, relin- 
quished their part of the public treasure, that 
the whole might be sent to the king. Two of 
the chief magistrates of the colony, Portocarrero 
and Montejo, were sent in one of the two vessels 
which were fitted out to Spain to convey these 
letters and presents. They were directed not 
to stop at the island of Cuba, lest they should 
be detained by Velasquez. Ere they embarked 
mass was celebrated and prayers were offered for 
a prosperous voyage. It was now the month of 
July, 1519. 

Just after the vessels had sailed, Cortez was 
much disturbed by a dangerous conspiracy 



THE TLASCALANS SUBJUGATED. 95 

which broke out in the camp. Some of the 
disaffected, who had been silenced, but not rec- 
onciled, with great secrecy matured a plan for 
seizing one of the brigantines and making their 
escape to Cuba. The conspirators had actually 
gone on board the vessel, and were ready to 
weigh the anchor and spread the sails, when 
one of the number repented of his treachery, 
and disclosed the plot to Cortez. 

The stern chieftain immediately went him- 
self on board the vessel. The crime was too 
palpable to be denied. He ordered all to be 
seized and brought on shore. Cortez resolved 
to punish with a severity which should intimi- 
date against any renewal of a similar attempt. 
The two ringleaders were immediately put to 
death. The pilot had one of his feet cut off. 
Two of the sailors received two hundred lashes. 
The rest were spared. 

It is recorded that Cortez, as he was ratifying 
this sentence, gave a deep sigh, and exclaimed, 

" How happy is he who is not able to write, 
and is thereby prevented from signing the death- 
warrants of men ! " 

But this development of disaffection disturbed 
Cortez exceedingly. He was about to march 
two hundred miles into the interior. It would 
be necessary to leave a garrison at Vera Cruz. 
The fleet would be lying idly at anchor in the 
harbor. A more successful attempt might be 



96 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

made during his absence ; and Velasquez, in- 
formed thus of his position, might easily send, 
from the powerful colony of Cuba, a force suffi- 
cient to take possession of Vera Cruz, and thus 
leave Oortez in the interior but a desperate ad- 
venturer, wandering in the midst of hostile na- 
tions. In this emergence, he came to the deci- 
sion, of almost unparalleled boldness, to destroy 
the fleet! He would thus place himself in a 
distant land, with but five hundred men, hope- 
lessly cut off from all retreat, and exposed to 
assault from exasperated nations numbering 
many millions. 

This plan was no sooner conceived than ex- 
ecuted. He assembled his principal friends 
privately, and informed them of his determina- 
tion. 

" We shall thus," said he, "gain all the sail- 
ors for soldiers, and the men, having no possi- 
bility of escape, must either conquer or die." 

While most of the soldiers were employed at 
Zempoalla, the ships were dismantled of every 
movable article, and they were then scuttled 
and sunk. In a few hours the majestic ocean 
rose and fell in silent solitude where the fleet 
had so proudly floated. One small vessel only 
was left. 

When the soldiers heard of this desperate 
deed, they were struck with consternation. 
They were apparently now forever separated 



THE TLASCALANS SUBJUGATED. 97 

from friends and home. In case of disaster, 
escape was impossible and destruction sure. 
Murmurs of indignation, loud and deep, began 
to rise against Cortez. He immediately gath- 
ered his troops around him, and, by his peculiar 
tact, soothed their anger, and won them to ap- 
proval of his course. They at once saw that 
murmurs would now be of no avail ; that their 
destiny was henceforth entirely dependent upon 
their obedience to their leader. It was evident 
to all that the least insubordination, in the po- 
sition of peril in which they were placed, would 
lead to inevitable ruin. Cortez closed his speech 
with the following forcible words : 

" As for me, I have chosen my part. I will 
remain here while there is one to bear me com- 
pany. If there be any so craven as to shrink 
from sharing the danger of our glorious enter- 
prise, let them go home. There is still one 
vessel left. Let them take that and return to 
Cuba. They can tell there how they have de- 
serted their commander and their comrades, and 
can wait patiently till we return, loaded with 
the treasures of the Mexicans." 

These excitable men were roused to enthu- 
siasm by this speech. One general shout arose, 
" To Mexico ! to Mexico ! " Cortez now made 
vigorous preparations for his march, uninvited 
and even forbidden, to the capital of Montezu- 
ma, AH was alacrity in the camp, and the TO" 



98 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

tonac allies were as zealous in their preparations 
as were the Spaniards. 

On the 15th of August, 1519, commenced 
this ever-Memorable march. The force of Oor- 
tez consisted of four hundred Spaniards, fif- 
teen horses, and seven pieces of artillery. The 
small remainder of his troops, some being sick 
or otherwise disabled, were left in garrison at 
Vera Cruz. The cacique of the Totouacs also 
furnished him with an army of two thousand 
three hundred men. Of these, two hundred 
were what were called men of burden, trained 
to carry heavy loads and to perform all arduous 
labor. These men were invaluable in carrying 
the luggage and in dragging the heavy artillery. 
Cortez assembled his forces at Zempoalla. At 
the moment of their departure, he called all the 
Spaniards around him, and addressed them in 
a devout speech. 

"The blessed Saviour," said he, "will give 
us victory. We have now no other security 
than the favor of God and our own stout 
hearts." 

The morning was serene and cloudless when 
the army commenced its march, which led to 
scenes of unparalleled cruelty and of blood. 
Just as the advance guard was leaving, a mes- 
senger brought the intelligence that a strange 
vessel was seen cruising off the coast near Vera 
Cruz. Qortez was alarmed, being apprehensive 



the tlascalans subjugated. 99 

that it was some ship belonging to a fleet sent 
against him by Velasquez. He immediately 
set off with a small party of horse toward the 
shore. A boat left the vessel and landed four 
men. Cortez seized them, and learned that this 
ship was sent with two others, conveying two 
hundred and seventy soldiers. The Governor 
of Jamaica having learned of the expedition of 
Cortez, had sent this embassy to take posses- 
sion of the country, and to inform Cortez that, 
by a royal commission from the sovereign, the 
Governor of Jamaica was entitled to have au- 
thority over the whole coast. Cortez impressed 
the men as soldiers, and sent them to be 
added to his army. Hoping to get a few more, 
he hid, with his guard, for a whole night be- 
hind some sand-hills, expecting that others 
might land to look for their lost comrades. Be- 
ing disappointed in this expectation, he resorted 
to a stratagem to lure others on shore. Four 
of his men were dressed in the clothes of the 
prisoners, and sent to the coast to make signals. 
A boat was soon seen making for the shore ; 
but, as soon as three had landed, some suspicion 
excited the fears of the rest, and they pushed 
off from the beach. The three were, however, 
instantly secured, and were immediately sent to 
join their companions in the ranks. Cortez 
thus obtained an important re-enforcement of 
seven Spaniards. , fr% 

L. ot v. 



100 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

Delaying no longer, the whole army was 
speedily on the march. For two days they 
moved gayly along through an enchanting coun- 
try of luxuriant foliage, waving grain, flowers, 
and perfume. They encountered no opposi- 
tion. Indian villages were thickly scattered 
around, and scenery of surpassing magnificence 
and loveliness was continually opening before 
their eyes. On the evening of the second day 
they arrived at the beautiful town of Jalapa, 
which was filled with the rural residences of 
the wealthy natives, and whose elevated site 
commanded a prospect in which the beautiful 
and the sublime were most lavishly blended. 

Still continuing their march through a well- 
settled country, as they ascended the gradual 
slope of the Cordilleras, on the fourth day they 
arrived at Naulinco. This was a large and 
populous town, containing many massive tem- 
ples, whose altars were ever crimsoned with 
human gore. The adventurers were received 
here, however, with great kindness. The sight 
of these heathen temples inspired Cortez, as 
usual, with intense zeal to convert the natives 
to Christianity. Time pressed, and it was not 
safe to indulge in delay. The Indians were 
bewildered rather than instructed by the exhor- 
tations of the Spanish priests. They, how- 
ever, consented that Cortez should rear a large 
cross in the center of their market-place as a 



THE TLASCALANS SUBJUGATED. 101 

memorial of his visit. The enthusiastic Span- 
iard devoutly hoped that the sight of the cross 
alone would excite the devotion of the natives. 

They had now ascended far up the gentle 
ascent of the Cordilleras, and were entering the 
defiles of the mountains. Here they encoun- 
tered rugged paths, and fierce storms of wind 
and sleet. A weary march of three days brought 
them to the high and extended table-land so 
characteristic of this country, seven thousand 
feet above the level of the sea. Here they 
found a fertile and flowery savanna extending 
before them for many leagues. The country 
was highly cultivated, and luxuriantly adorned 
with hedges, with groves, with waving fields 
of maize, and with picturesque towns and 
villages. God did indeed seem to smile upon 
these reckless adventurers. Thus far their 
march had been as a delightful holiday excur- 
sion. 

They soon arrived at Tlatlanquitepec. It 
was even more populous and improving in its 
architecture than Zempoalla. The stone houses 
were spacious and comfortable. Thirteen mas- 
sive temples testified to the religious fervor of 
the people. But here they witnessed the most 
appalling indications of the horrid atrocities of 
pagan idolatry. They found, piled in order, as 
they judged, one hundred thousand skulls of 
human victims who had been offered in sacri- 



102 HEENAKDO COBTEZ. 

fice to their gods.* There was a Mexican gar- 
rison stationed in this place, but not sufficiently 
strong to resist the invaders. They, however, 
gave Cortez a very cold reception, and endeav- 
ored to discourage him from advancing by glow- 
ing descriptions of the wealth and power of 
the monarch whose displeasure he was incur- 
ring. These developments, however, rather in- 
cited anew the zeal of the Spaniards. Cortez, 
with commendable zeal, again made vigorous 
but unavailing efforts to induce these benighted 
pagans to renounce their cruel and bloodstained 
idols, and accept the religion of Jesus. Poorly 
as Cortez was instructed in the doctrines and 
the precepts of the Gospel, Christianity, even 
as darkly discerned by his mind, was infinitely 
superior to the sanguinary religious rites of 
these idolaters. 

"We come," said he firmly, to the chiefs and 
the principal personages of the town, "from 
a distant country, to warn the great Montezuma 
to desist from human sacrifices, and all out- 
rages upon his own vassals or his neighbors^ 

* " Near some temples were laid numbers oi 
human skeletons, so arranged that they could be 
counted with ease and certainty. I am convinced, 
from my own observation, that there were above a 
hundred thousand. I repeat it, I am sure that there 
were more than a hundred thousand."— Bernal 
Diaz, p. 91. 



THE TLASCALANS SUBJUGATED. 103 

and to require from him submission to our mon- 
arch ; and I now require you, all who hear me, 
to renounce your human sacrifices, cannibal 
feasts, and other abominable practises, for such 
is the command of our Lord God, whom we 
adore, who gives us life and death, and who is 
to raise us up to heaven." 

The natives, however, clung to the debasing 
faith of their fathers. The zeal of Cortez was 
rous.ed. He regarded the hideous idols as rep- 
resentatives of devils, whom it was right, with 
any violence, to overthrow. He was just about 
ordering an onslaught upon the temples with 
sword and hatchet, when the prudent Father 
Olmedo dissuaded him. 

" By introducing our religion thus violently," 
said this truly good man, " we shall but expose 
the sacred symbol of the cross and the image 
of the Blessed Virgin to insult as soon as we 
shall have departed. We must wait till we can 
instruct their dark minds, so that from the 
heart they may embrace our faith." 

And here let us record the full and the cordial 
admission, that the Roman Catholic Church, 
notwithstanding its corruptions, has sent out 
into the wilds of heathenism as devoted Chris- 
tians as the world has ever seen. 

After a rest in this city of five days, the 
route was again commenced. The road wound 
picturesquely along the banks of a broad and 

8— Corte* 



104 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

tranquil stream, fringed with an unbroken line 
of Indian villages. Some twenty leagues of 
travel brought them to the large town of Xala- 
cingo. Here they met with friendly treatment. 
They were now on the frontiers of a very pow- 
erful nation, called the Tlascalans, who, by their 
fierce and warlike habits, had thus far succeed- 
ed in resisting the aggressions of the Mexicans. 
The whole nation was organized into a camp, 
and thus, though many bloody battles had been 
fought, the Tlascalans maintained their inde- 
pendence. 

Cortez was quite sanguine that he should be 
able to form an alliance with this people. He 
therefore decided to rest his army for a few 
days, while an embassy should be sent to the 
Tlascalan capital to solicit permission to pass 
through their country, and gently to intimate 
an alliance. Four Zempoallans of lofty rank 
were selected as ambassadors. In accordance 
with the custom of the country, they were 
dressed in official costume, with flowing man- 
tles, and each bearing arrows tipped with white 
feathers, the symbol of peace. 

But the Tlascalans had heard of the arrival of 
the Spaniards upon the coast, of their ships, 
" armed with thunder and clad with wings," 
of their fearful war-horses, and of their weap- 
ons of destruction of almost supernatural 
power. They had also heard of the violence 



THE TLASCALANS SUBJUGATED. 105 

with which they had assailed the gods of the 
country. The principal lords had already as- 
sembled in debate to decide upon the course to 
be pursued should these formidable strangers 
approach their territory. It was determined 
to oppose them with all the energies of artifice 
and of force. The ambassadors were accord- 
ingly seized and imprisoned, and preparations 
were made to sacrifice them to their gods. 
They, however, fortunately made their escape 
and returned to Cortez. 

The Spanish chieftain, disappointed but not 
intimidated by this result, made prompt ar- 
rangements to force his way through the Tlas- 
calan territory. Waving the sacred banner of 
the Church before his troops, he exclaimed, 

" Spaniards ! follow boldly the standard of 
the Holy Cross. Through this we shall con- 
quer/' 

' ' On ! on ! " was the enthusiastic response 
of the soldiers. " In God alone we place our 
trust." 

The march of a few miles brought them to 
an extended wall of solid masonry, built, like 
the great wall of China, to protect the territory 
of the Tlascalans from invasion. Though the 
entrance gate was so constructed that a small 
army stationed there might have made very 
powerful resistance, for some reason the Tlasca- 
lan force had been withdrawn. The army bold- 



106 HEBNANDO COEt£2. 

ly pressed in, and advanced rapidly, yet nsing 
all caution to guard against an ambuscade. 
They had not proceeded far, however, before 
they met a large force of the Indians, who at- 
tacked them with the utmost fury, and with a 
degree of military skill and discipline which 
greatly surprised the Spaniards. Two of the 
horses were killed, and several of the Spaniards 
wounded. For a time the situation of the in- 
vaders was very precarious ; but Cortez soon 
brought up the artillery, and opened a destruc- 
tive fire upon the unprotected foe. The thun- 
der of the guns, which the Tlascalans had never 
heard before, and the horrid carnage of the 
grape-shot sweeping through their ranks, com- 
pelled the warlike natives at last, though slowly 
and sullenly, to retire. There was, however, 
no confusion in their retreat. They retired in 
good order, ever presenting a bold front to 
their pursuers. Cortez estimated the number 
of the enemy engaged in this battle at six 
thousand. 

The retiring Tlascalans took with them or 
destroyed all the provisions which the country 
afforded ; but, notwithstanding this, " their 
dogs," one of the historians of the expedition 
records, " which we caught when they returned 
to their habitations at night, afforded us a very 
good supper." 

It was now the end of September. The 




C«rtez,f*Qtp. i06 



Slaughter of the Tlascalaas. 



THE TLASCALANS SUBJUGATED. 107 

army of Cortez had been gradually increased by 
recruits from among the natives to three thou- 
sand. Immediately after this first battle with 
the Tlascalans, the whole army was assembled 
to offer thanks to God for the victory, and to 
implore his continued protection. The soldiers, 
with the fresh blood of the Tlascalans hardly 
washed from their hands, partook of the sacra- 
ment of the Lord's Supper according to the 
rites of the Eoman Catholic Church. 

The army now marched in close order. The 
Totonac allies, as well as the Spaniards, were 
drilled to perfect discipline, and all were in- 
spired with intense zeal. "With characteristic 
caution Cortez chose every night his place of 
halting, and with great vigilance fortified his 
encampment. There was something truly chiv- 
alrous in the magnanimity displayed by these 
barbarians. They seemed to scorn the idea of 
taking their enemies by surprise, but always 
sent them fair warning when they intended to 
make an attack. They had now the impression 
that the Spaniards had left their own country 
because it did not furnish sufficient food for 
them. They therefore sent to their camp an 
abundant supply of poultry and corn, saying, 
" Eat plentifully. We disdain to attack a foe 
enfeebled by hunger. It would be an insult to 
our gods to offer them starved victims ; neither 
do we wish to feed on emaciated bodies." We 



108 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

have before mentioned that it was the horrid 
custom of this people to offer as sacrifices to 
their gods prisoners taken in war, and then to 
banquet in savage orgies over the remains. 

As Oortez moved cautiously on, adopting 
every precaution to guard against surprise, he 
suddenly emerged from a valley upon a wide- 
spread plain. Here he again encountered the 
enemy, drawn up in battle array, in numbers 
apparently overwhelming. It was now even- 
ing. As it was understood that the Tlascalans 
never attacked by night, considering it dishon- 
orable warfare, the Spaniards pitched their 
tents, having posted sentinels to watch the foe 
with the utmost vigilance. The morning was 
to usher in a dreadful battle, with fearful odds 
against the invaders. Two chiefs who had 
been taken prisoners in the late battle stated 
that the force of the Tlascalans consisted of five 
divisions of ten thousand men each. Each di- 
vision had its own uniform and banner, and was 
under the command of its appropriate chief. 
It was a solemn hour in the Spanish camp. 
" When all this was communicated to us," says 
Diaz, " being but mortal, and, like all others, 
fearing death, we prepared for battle by con- 
fessing to our reverend fathers, who were occu- 
pied during that whole night in that holy 
office." 

Oortez released his captive chiefs, and sent 



THE TLASCALANS SUBJUGATED. 109 

them with an amicable message to their coun- 
trymen, stating that he asked only an unmo- 
lested passage through their country to Mexico, 
but sternly declaring, "If this proposition 
be refused, I will enter your capital as a con- 
queror. I will burn every house. I will put 
every inhabitant to the sword. " An answer 
was returned of the most implacable defiance. 
ee We will make peace," said the Tlascalans, 
" by devouring your bodies, and offering your 
hearts and your blood in sacrifice to our gods." 
The morning of the 5th of September dawned 
cloudless and brilliant upon the two armies 
encamped upon the high table-lands of the Cor- 
dilleras, At an early hour the Spanish bugles 
roused the sleeping host. The wounded men, 
even, resumed their place in the ranks, so great 
was the peril. Cortez addressed a few inspirit- 
ing words to the troops, and placed himself at 
their head. Just as the sun was rising he put 
his army in motion. Soon they arrived in 
sight of the Tlascalans. The interminable host 
filled a vast plain, six miles square, with their 
thronging multitudes. The native warriors, in 
bands skilfully posted, were decorated with 
the highest appliances of barbaric pomp. As 
the experienced eye of Cortez ranged over their 
dense ranks, he estimated their numbers at 
more than one hundred thousand. Their 
weapons were slings, arrows, javelins, clubs, and 



110 HERNANDO COKTEZ. 

rude wooden swords, sharpened with teeth of 
flint. 

The moment the Spaniards appeared, the 
Tlascalans, uttering hideous yells, and filling 
the air with all the inconceivable clamor of 
their military bands, rushed upon them like the 
onrolling surges of the ocean. The first dis- 
charge from the native army of stones, arrows, 
and darts was so tremendous as to darken the 
sky like a thick cloud. Notwithstanding the 
armor worn by the Spaniards was impervious to 
arrow or javelin, many were wounded. 

But soon the cannon was unmasked, and 
opened its terrific roar. Ball and grape-shot 
swept through the dense ranks of the natives, 
mowing down, in hideous mutilation, whole 
platoons at a discharge. The courage displayed 
by the Tlascalans was amazing. It has never 
been surpassed. Though hardly able, with 
their feeble weapons, to injure their adversar- 
ies, regardless of death, they filled up the gaps 
which the cannon opened in their ranks, and 
all the day long continued the unequal fight. 

Immense multitudes of the dead now covered 
the field, and many of the chiefs were slain. 
Every horse was wounded ; seventy Spaniards 
were severely injured : one was dead, and nearly 
all were more or less bruised. But the artillery 
and the musketry were still plied with awful 
carnage. The commander-in-chief of the 



THE TLASCALANS SUBJUGATED. Ill 

native army, finding it in vain to contend 
against these new and apparently unearthly 
weapons, at last ordered a retreat. The natives 
retired in as highly disciplined array as would 
have been displayed by French or Austrian 
troops. The victors, exhausted and bleeding, 
were glad to throw themselves upon the gory 
grass of the battle-field for repose. The cold 
wind at night, from the mountain glaciers, 
swept the bleak plain, and the soldiers shivered 
in their houseless beds. They did not sleep, 
however, until, in a body, they had returned 
thanks to the God of peace and love for their 
glorious victory. "It truly seemed/' said 
Cortez, devoutly, "that God fought on our 
side." 

It appears almost incredible that, in such a 
conflict, the Spanish army should have received 
so little injury. But Cortez made no account 
of any amount of loss on the part of his native 
allies. The Spaniards only he thought of, and 
they were protected with the utmost care. 
Their artillery and musketry kept the natives 
at a distance, and their helmets and coats of 
mail no native weapon could easily penetrate. 
Their danger was consequently so small that 
we cannot give them credit for quite so much 
heroism as they have claimed. The enterprise, 
in its commencement, was bold in the extreme ; 
but it is easy to be fearless when experience 



112 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

proves that there is but little peril to be en- 
countered. They fought one hundred thou- 
sand men for a whole day, and lost one man ! 

As night enveloped in its folds the blood- 
stained hosts, the untiring Cortez, having 
buried his dead, that his loss might not be per- 
ceived by the enemy, sallied forth with the 
horse and a hundred foot, and four hundred 
of the native allies, and with fire and sword dev- 
astated six villages of a hundred houses each, 
taking four hundred prisoners, including men 
and women. Before daybreak he returned from 
this wild foray to the camp. 

During the night the Tlascalans had been re- 
ceiving re-enforcements, and when the first 
dawn of morning appeared, more than one hun- 
dred and forty-nine thousand natives, according 
to the estimate of Oortez, made a rush upon 
the camp. After a battle of four hours they 
were again compelled to retreat. "As we 
carried the banner of the cross," says Cortez, 
"and fought for our faith, God, in his glorious 
providence, gave us a great victory." 

Night again came. Again this indomitable 
man of iron sinews marched forth in the dark- 
ness, with his horse, one hundred Spanish in- 
fantry, and a large party of his allies, and set 
three thousand houses in flames, encountering 
no opposition, burning out only the women 
and children and the unarmed inhabitants. 



THE TLASCALANS SUBJUGATED. 113 

Cortez treated all the prisoners he took very 
kindly, and liberated them with presents. This 
humanity amazed the natives, who were ac- 
customed to a procedure so very different. 

The Tlascalans were now much disheartened, 
and were inclined to peace. But they were 
quite at a loss to know how to approach the 
terrible foe. After much deliberation, they 
sent an embassage, composed of fifty of their 
most prominent men, bearing rich presents. 
Cortez suspected them of being spies. With 
cruelty, which will ever be an ineffaceable 
stigma upon his name, he ordered them all to 
be arrested, and their hands to be cut off. Thus 
awfully mutilated, these unhappy men were 
sent back to the Tlascalan camp with the de- 
fiant message, 

"The Tlascalans may come by day or by 
night ; the Spaniards are ready for them." 

Cortez himself relates this act of atrocious 
cruelty. Nothing can be said in its extenua- 
tion. There was even no proof, but only sus- 
picion that they were spies. It is, indeed, not 
at all probable that, if such were the intention, 
fifty of the most prominent men of the nation 
would have been selected. It is, however, cer- 
tain, that after this all farther idea of resistance 
was abandoned. The commander-in-chief of 
the Tlascalan army, with a numerous retinue, 
entered the Spanish camp with prefers of sub* 



114 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

mission. This brave and proud chieftain, sub- 
dued by the terrors of the resistless engines of 
war worked by the Spaniards, addressed Cortez 
in the following language, which will com- 
mand universal respect and sympathy. 

"I loved my country," said he, " and wished 
to preserve its independence. We have been 
beaten. I hope that you will use your victory 
with moderation, and not trample upon our 
liberties. In the name of the nation, I now 
tender obedience to the Spaniards. We will be 
as faithful in peace as we have been bold in 
war." 

Cortez received this submission with great 
secret satisfaction, for his men, worn down 
with fatigue, were beginning loudly to murmur. 
A cordial peace was soon concluded. The Tlas- 
calans were the inveterate foes of the Mexicans, 
and had long been fighting against them. They 
yielded themselves as vassals to the King of 
Spain, and engaged to assist Cortez in all his 
enterprises. The two armies, which had re- 
cently met in such fierce and terrible encounter, 
now mingled together as friends and brothers. 
In one vast united band they marched toward 
the great city of Tlascala, and entered the cap- 
ital in triumph. 

It was, indeed, a large and magnificent city ; 
more populous, and of more imposing architec- 
ture, Cortez asserts, than the celebrated Moor- 



THE TLASC ALANS SUBJUGATED. 115 

ish capital, Granada, in old Spain. An im- 
mense throng flocked from the gates of the city 
to meet the troops. The roofs of the houses 
were covered with spectators. Wild music, 
from semi-barbarian voices and bands, filled 
the air. Plumed warriors hurried to and fro, 
and shouts of welcome seemed to rend the skies, 
as these hardy adventurers slowly defiled through 
the crowded gates and streets of the city. The 
police regulations were extraordinarily effective, 
repressing all disorder. The Spaniards were 
surprised to find barbers' shops, and also baths 
both for hot and cold water. 

The submission of the Tlascalans was sincere 
and entire. They were convinced that the 
Spaniards were beings of a superior order whom 
it was in vain to resist. Cortez treated the van- 
quished natives with great courtesy and kind- 
ness. He took the Tlascalan republic under his 
protection, and promised to defend them from 
every foe. 

The peril of Cortez at this juncture had been 
very great. The difficulty of obtaining suffi- 
cient food for his army, while ever on the 
march, called into requisition his utmost sagac- 
ity and exertions. No man of ordinary char- 
acter could have surmounted this difficulty. 
Fatigue and exposure had placed many on the 
sick-list, and there were no hospital wagons to 
convey them along. Fifty-five Spaniards had 



116 



HERtfAKDO CORTE2. 



died on the way. Cortez himself was seriously 
indisposed. Every night one half of the army 
kept up a vigilant watch, while all the rest slept 
on their arms. And Diaz records that they had 
no salve to dress their wounds but what was com- 
posed of the fat of the Indians whom they had 
slain. Whenever the enemy was defeated, he 
retired only to reappear in increasing numbers. 
Under these circumstances, it is not strange 
that many of the soldiers had thought of their 
homes, and that loud murmurs had been uttered. 
But this sudden peace dispelled all discontent. 
In the abundance and the repose of the great 
city of Tlascala, all past toil and hardship were 
forgotteu. 

Cortez, in his letter to the emperor, stated 
that so populous was Tlascala, that he presumed 
as many as thirty thousand persons appeared 
daily in the market-place of the city buying 
and selling. The population of the province 
he estimated at five hundred thousand. 





CHAPTER VI. 

THE MARCH TO MEXICO. 

Cortez remained in Tlascala twenty days, 
to refresh his troops, and to cement his alliance 
with his new friends. He was all this time very 
diligent in making the most minute inquiries 
respecting the condition of the Mexican empire, 
and in preparing for every emergence which 
could arise in the continuance of his march. 
Bold as he was, his prudence equaled his bold- 
ness, and he left nothing willingly to the decis- 
ions of chance. The Tlascalans hated viru- 
lently their ancient foes the Mexicans, and with 
that fickleness of character, ever conspicuous 
in the uninformed multitude, became fond even 
to adulation of the Spaniards. With great en- 
thusiasm they embarked in the enterprise of 
joining the expedition against Montezuma. All 
the forces of the republic were promptly raised, 
and placed under the command of Cortez. 

Montezuma was informed of all these pro- 
ceedings, and was greatly alarmed. He feared 
that a prophetic doom was about to descend 
upon him, and this apprehension wilted all his 

9-conex E 117 



118 HERNAKDO CORTEZ. 

wonted energies. Thus influenced, he sent an 
embassy, consisting of live of the most conspicu- 
ous nobles of his empire, accompanied by a 
retinue of two hundred attendants, to visit the 
Spanish camp. Men of burden were laden 
down with rich presents for Cortez. The gold 
alone of the gifts was estimated at over fifty 
thousand dollars. Montezuma weakly hoped 
by these gifts to induce Cortez to arrest his 
steps. The ambassadors were instructed to 
urge him, by all possible considerations, not to 
attempt to approach the Mexican capital. 

Cortez returned an answer replete with ex- 
pressions of Castilian courtesy, but declaring 
that he must obey the commands of his sov- 
ereign, which required him to visit the metrop- 
olis of the great empire. 

But, in the midst of all these cares, Cortez 
did not forget his great mission of converting 
the natives to Christianity. This subject was 
ever prominent in his mind, and immediately 
upon his entrance into the city he commenced, 
through his interpreters, urging the chiefs to 
abondon their cruel idolatry. He argued with 
them himself, and called into requisition all the 
persuasive eloquence of good Father Olmedo. 

The chiefs brought five maidens, all noble 
born, and of selected beauty. These girls were 
beautifully dressed, and each attended by a 
slave. Xicotenga, the cacique of the nation, 



THE MARCH TO MEXICO. 119 

presented his own daughter to Cortez, and re- 
quested him to assign the rest to his officers. 
Cortez firmly, yet courteously declined the gift, 
saying, 

" If you wish that we should intermarry with 
you, you must first renounce your idolatrous 
worship and adore our God. He will then bless 
you in this life, and after death he will receive 
you to heaven to enjoy eternal happiness ; but 
if you persist in the worship of your idols, 
which are devils, you will be drawn by them to 
their infernal pit, there to burn eternally in 
flames of fire." 

He then presented to them (i a beauteous im- 
age of Our Lady, with her precious Son in her 
arms," and attempted to explain to them the 
mystery of the incarnation, and the potency of 
the mediatorship of the Virgin. 

" The God of the Christians," the Tlascalans 
replied, "must be great and good. We will 
give him a place with our gods, who are also 
great and good. Our god grants us victory over 
our enemies. Our goddess preserves us from 
inundations of the river. Should we forsake 
their worship, the most dreadful punishment 
would overwhelm us." 

Cortez could admit of no such compromise ; 
and he urged the destruction of the idols with 
so much zeal and importunity that at last the 
Tlascalans became angry, and declared that on 



120 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

no account whatever would they abandon the 
gods of their fathers. Cortez now, in his turn, 
was roused to virtuous indignation, and he re- 
solved that, happen what might, the true God 
should be honored by the swift destruction of 
these idols of the heathen. Encouraged by the 
success of his violent measures at Zempoalla, 
he was on the point of ordering the soldiers to 
make an onslaught on the gods of the Tlasca- 
lans, which would probably have so roused the 
warlike and exasperated natives as to have led 
to the entire destruction of his army in the 
narrow streets of the thronged capital, when 
the judicious and kind-hearted Father Olmedo 
dissuaded him from the rasli enterprise. With 
true Christian philosophy, he plead that forced 
conversion was no conversion at all ; that God's 
reign was only over willing minds and in the 
heart. " Keligion," said this truly good man, 
" cannot be propagated by the sword. Patient 
instruction must enlighten the understanding, 
and pious example captivate the affections, be- 
fore men can be induced to abandon error and 
embrace the truth." It is truly refreshing to 
meet with these noble ideas of toleration spoken 
by a Spanish monk in that dark age. Let such 
a fact promote, not indifference to true and 
undefiled religion, but a generous charity.* 

* "When Reverend Father Olmedo, who was a 
wise and good theologian, heard this, being averse to 



THE MARCH TO MEXICO. 121 

Cortez reluctantly yielded to these remon- 
strances of an ecclesiastic whose wisdom and 
virtue he was compelled to respect. The man- 
ifest pressure of circumstances also undoubtedly 
had their influence. But this ardent reformer 
could not yield without entering his protest. 

"We cannot," he said, "I admit, change 
the heart, but we can demolish these abomi- 
nable idols, clamoring for their hecatombs of 
human victims, and we can introduce in their 
stead the blessed Virgin and her blessed child. 
Will not this be a humane change ? And, 
because we cannot do the whole, shall we refuse 
to do a part ? " 

Upon one point, however, Cortez was inflex- 
ible, and to this the Tlascalans, by way of com- 
promise, assented. He insisted that the pris- 
ons should be entirely emptied of victims 
destined for sacrifice. There were in the tem- 
ples many poor wretches fattening for these 
horrid orgies. A promise was also exacted 
from the Tlascalans that they would hereafter 
desist from these heathen practises ; but no 

forced conversions, notwithstanding it had been done 
in Zempoalla, he advised Cortez to urge it no farther 
at present. He also observed that the destruction of 
their idols was a fruitlsss violence if the principle 
was not eradicated from their minds by arguments, 
as they would find other idols to continue their wor- 
ship to elsewhere." 



122 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

sooner had the tramp of the Spaniards ceased 
to echo through the streets of Tlascala, than 
the prisons were again filled with victims, and 
human blood, in new torrents, crimsoned their 
altars. 

One of the temples was also cleared out, and 
an altar being erected, it was converted into a 
Christian church. Here the young ladies des- 
tined as brides for the Spanish soldiers were 
baptized, their friends presenting no objec- 
tions. The daughter of Xicotenga received 
the Christian name of Louisa. Cortez took 
her by the hand, and gracefully presented her 
to one of his captains, Alvarado, telling her 
father that that officer was his brother. The 
cacique expressed entire satisfaction at this 
arrangement. All were baptized and received 
Christian names. Many of the descendants of 
this beautiful and amiable Indian maiden may 
now be found among the grandees of Spain. 

Montezuma, on the return of his ambassa- 
dors, finding that no argument could dissuade 
Cortez, and fearing by opposition to provoke 
the hostility of an enemy who wielded such 
supernatural thunders, now decided to change 
his policy, and by cordiality to endeavor to win 
his friendship. He accordingly sent another 
embassy, with still richer presents, inviting 
Cortez to his capital, and assuring him of a 
warm welcome. He entreated him, however, 



THE MARCH TO MEXICO. 123 

not to enter into any alliance with the Tlasca- 
lans, the most fierce and unrelenting foes of 
the Mexican empire. 

The time had now arrived for Oortez to re- 
sume his march. The zeal of the Tlascalans 
to accompany him was so great that, according 
to his representation, he might have taken with 
him one hundred thousand volunteers. He, 
however, considered this force too unwieldy, 
and accepted of but six thousand picked troops. 
This, however, was a strong re-enforcement, 
and Cortez now rode proudly at the head of a 
regular army which could bid defiance to all 
opposition. 

Eighteen miles from Tlascala was situated the 
city of Cholula, and this city was but sixty-four 
miles east of the renowned Mexican metropolis. 
Cholula was a city whose population was esti- 
mated at one hundred thousand. As it be- 
longed to Mexico, the bitterest animosity existed 
between its inhabitants and those of Tlascala. 
Cortez was warned by his new allies not to 
enter the city, as he might depend upon en- 
countering treachery there ; but the Spanish 
general considered himself now too strong to 
turn aside from any danger. 

As the Spanish army approached the city, a 
procession came out to meet them, with ban- 
ners, and bands of music, and censers smoking 
with incense. Numerous nobles and priests 



124 HEItNANDO CORTEZ. 

headed the procession. They received Cortez 
and the Zempoallans with every demonstration 
of friendship, but declined admitting their in- 
veterate enemies, the Tlascalans, within their 
walls. Oortez accordingly ordered these allies 
to encamp upon the plain before the city, while 
he, with the rest of the army, marched with 
great military pomp into the metropolis, which 
was resounding with acclamations. 

He found a beautiful city, with wide, neatly- 
arranged streets and handsome dwellings. It 
was the sacred city of the Mexicans. Many 
gorgeous temples lined the streets, and one of 
extraordinary grandeur was the most renowned 
sanctuary of the empire. It is alleged by some, 
and denied by others, that the Mexicans had 
invited the Spaniards into the holy city, hop- 
ing by the aid of the gods to effect their entire 
destruction. The Tlascalans, who were en- 
camped outside of the city, affirmed that the 
women and children of the principal inhab- 
itants were leaving the city by night. They 
also declared that a large body of Mexican 
troops were concealed near the town. Two of 
the Tlascalans, who had entered the city in dis- 
guise, declared that some of the streets were 
barricaded, and that others were undermined, 
and but slightly covered over, as traps for the 
horses. They also reported that six children 
had recently been sacrificed in the chief tern- 



THE MARCH tfO MEXluO. 125 

pie, which was a certain indication that some 
great military enterprise was on foot. Oortez, 
however, did not place much reliance upon this 
testimony from the Tlascalans. He was well 
aware that they would be glad, in any way, to 
bring down destruction on Oholula. 

But more reliable testimony came from the 
amiable Marina. She had won the love of one 
of the noble ladies of the city. This woman, 
wishing to save Marina from destruction, in- 
formed her that a plot was in progress for the in- 
evitable ruin of her friends. According to her 
account, deep pits were dug and concealed in 
the streets, stones carried to the tops of the 
houses and the temples, and that Mexican 
troops were secretly drawing near. The fatal 
hour was at hand, and escape impossible. 

The energy of Oortez was now roused. Qui- 
etly he drew up the Spanish and Zempoallan 
troops, armed to the teeth, in the heart of the 
city. He sent a secret order to the Tlascalans 
to approach, and, at a given signal, to fall upon 
the surprised and unarmed Oholulans, and cut 
them down without mercy. He then, upon a 
friendly pretext, sent for the magistrates of the 
city and all the principal nobles. They were 
immediately assembled, and the signal for mas- 
sacre was given. 

The poor natives, taken entirely by surprise, 
rushed in dismay this way and that, encounter^ 



126 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

ing death at every corner. The Tlascalans> 
like hungry wolves, swept through the streets, 
glutting themselves with blood. It was with 
them the carnival of insatiable revenge. The 
dwellings were sacked piteously, and the city 
everywhere kindled into flame. Women and 
children were seized by the merciless Tlasca- 
lans to grace their triumph, and to bleed upon 
their altars of human sacrifice. For two days 
this horrid scene continued. At last, from ex- 
haustion, the carnage ceased. The city was 
reduced to smoldering ruins, and pools of 
blood and mutilated carcasses polluted the 
streets. The wail of the wretched survivors, 
homeless and friendless, rose to the ear of 
Heaven more dismal than the piercing shriek 
of anguish which is silenced by death. The 
argument with which Cortez defends this out- 
rage is very laconic : 

' ' Had I not done this to them, they would 
have done the same to me." 

Such is war — congenial employment only for 
fiends. It is Satan's work, and can be effi- 
ciently prosecuted only by Satan's instruments. 
Six thousand Cholulans were slain in this aw- 
ful massacre. The Spaniards were now suffi- 
ciently avenged. Cortez issued a proclamation 
offering pardon to all who had escaped the mas- 
sacre, and inviting them to return to their 
smoldering homes, Slowly they returned. 



THE} MARCH TO MEXICO 127 

women and children, from the mountains where 
they had fled ; some, who had feigned death, 
crept from beneath the bodies of the slain, and 
others emerged from hiding-places in their dev- 
astated dwellings. The cacique of the Cholu- 
lans had been killed in the general slaughter. 
Cortez appointed a brother of the late cacique 
to rule over the city, and, in apparently a sin- 
cere proclamation, informed the bereaved and 
miserable survivors that it was with the greatest 
sorrow that he had found himself compelled 
by their treachery to this terrible punishment. 
The Tlascalans, glutted with the blood of their 
ancient foes, were compelled to surrender all 
their prisoners, for Cortez would allow of no 
human sacrifices. 

Cortez thought that the natives were now 
in a very suitable frame of mind for his pecul- 
iar kind of conversion. They were truly very 
pliant. No resistance was offered to the Span- 
ish soldiers as they tumbled the idols out of the 
temples, and reared in their stead the cross and 
the image of the Virgin. Public thanksgivings 
were then offered to God in the purified tem- 
ples of the heathen for the victory he had 
vouchsafed, and mass was celebrated by the 
whole army. 

In the year 1842, Hon. Waddy Thompson 
passed over the plain where once stood the city 
of Cholula. He thus describes it : 



128 HERNANDO C0RTE2. 

"The great city of Cholula was situated 
about six miles from the present city of Puebla. 
It was here the terrible slaughter was commit- 
ted which has left the deepest stain upon the 
otherwise glorious and wonderful character of 
Cortez. Not a vestige — literally none — not a 
brick or a stone standing upon another, re- 
mains of this immense city except the great 
pyramid, which still stands in gloomy and 
solitary grandeur in the vast plain which sur- 
rounds it, and there it will stand forever. This 
pyramid is built of unburned bricks. Its 
dimensions, as given by Humboldt, are, base, 
1440 feet ; present height, 177 ; area on the 
summit, 45,210 square feet. A Catholic chapel 
now crowns the summit of this immense 
mound, the sides of which are covered with 
grass and small trees. As seen for miles along 
the road, an artificial mountain, standing in 
the solitude of a vast plain, it is a most impos- 
ing and beautiful object." 

After the delay of a fortnight, Cortez re- 
sumed his march toward the capital of Mexico, 
which was now distant from him but twenty 
leagues. It was now the 29th of October. 
The tidings of the horrible retribution which 
had fallen upon Cholula spread far and wide, 
and it accomplished its end in preventing any 
farther manifestations of hostility. City after 
city, appalled by this exhibition of the venge- 



THE MARCH TO MEXICO. 129 

ance of those foes who wielded the thunder and 
the lightning of heaven, and who, with the 
dreadful war-horse, could overtake the swiftest 
foe, sent in the most humble messages of sub- 
mission, with accompanying presents, to pro- 
pitiate the favor of the terrible invaders. 

Montezuma, as he was informed of the fate 
of Oholula, turned pale upon his throne, and 
trembled in every fiber. He dreaded unspeak- 
ably to have the Spaniards enter his capital, 
and yet he dared not undertake to oppose them. 
Cortez sent ambassadors before him to the 
capital with the following message to Mon- 
tezuma : 

" The Cholulans have asserted that Monte- 
zuma instigated their treachery. I will not be- 
lieve it. Montezuma is a great and a powerful 
sovereign ; he would make war in the open field, 
and not by cowardly stratagem. The Span- 
iards, however, are ready for any warfare, 
secret or open." 

This was bold defiance. Montezuma super- 
stitiously read in it the decree of fate announc- 
ing his doom. He returned an answer solemnly 
declaring that he had no part in the guilt of 
the Cholulans, and renewedly inviting Cortez 
to visit his city. 

The country through which the adventurers 
passed became increasingly populous, luxuriant, 
and beautiful. They were continually met by 



130 HERNANDO COHTEZ. 

embassies from the different cities on or near 
their route, endeavoring to propitiate their favor 
by protestations of allegiance and gifts of gold. 
They also perceived many indications of discon- 
tent with the reign of Montezuma, which en- 
couraged Cortez greatly in his expectation of 
being able to overturn the empire, by availing 
himself of the alienation existing in its constitu- 
ent parts. Multitudes of the disaffected joined 
the army of Cortez, where they were all warmly 
welcomed. " Thus," says Clavigero, " the 
farther the Spaniards advanced into the coun- 
try, the more they continued to increase their 
forces ; like a rivulet which, by the accession 
of other streams, swells in its course into a large 
river." 

For several days they toiled resolutely along, 
" recommending," says Diaz, " our souls to the 
Lord Jesus Christ, who had brought us through 
our past dangers," until, from the heights of 
Ithualco, they looked down over the majestic, 
the enchanting valley of Mexico. A more per- 
fectly lovely scene has rarely greeted human 
eyes. In the far distance could be discerned, 
through the transparent atmosphere, the dim 
blue outline of the mountains by which the 
almost boundless basin of Mexico was girdled. 
Forests and rivers, orchards and lakes, culti- 
vated fields and beautiful villages adorned the 
landscape. The magnificent city of Mexico 



THE MARCH TO MEXICO. 131 

was situated, in queenly splendor, upon islands 
in the bosom of a series of lakes more than a 
hundred miles in length. Innumerable towns, 
with their lofty temples, and white, picturesque 
dwellings, fringed the margin of the crystal 
waters. The circumference of the valley 
girdled by the mountains was nearly two hun- 
dred miles. 

The Spaniards gazed upon the enchanting 
scene with amazement, and many of them with 
alarm. They saw indications of civilization 
and of power far beyond what they had antici- 
pated. Cortez, however, relying upon the effi- 
ciency of gunpowder, and also deeming himself 
invincible while the sacred banner of the cross 
waved over his army, marched boldly on. The 
love of plunder was a latent motive omnipotent 
in his soul, and he saw undreamed of wealth 
lavishly spread before him. Though Cortez 
was, at this period of his life, a stranger to the 
sordid vice of avarice, he coveted intensely 
boundless wealth, to be prof usely distributed in 
advancing his great plans.* 

*Hon. Waddy Thompson thus describes the ap- 
pearance of the great valley of Mexico at the present 
time. " The road passes within about twenty miles 
of the mountain of Pococatapetl, the highest point 
of the territory of Mexico ; but the brightness of the 
atmosphere, and a tropical sun shining upon the 
snow with which it is always covered, makes the 
distance seem very much shorter — not, indeed, more 

]0-Corte» 



132 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

Montezuma was continually vacillating as to 
the course to be pursued. At one hour he 
would resolve to marshal his armies, and fall, if 
fall he must, gloriously, amid the ruins of his 
empire. The next hour timidity would be in 
the ascendant, and a new embassy would be 
sent to Oortez, with courteous speeches and 
costly gifts. The unhappy monarch, in his 
despair, had gone to one of the most sacred of 
the sanctuaries of the empire to mourn and to 
pray. Here he passed eight days in the per- 
formance of all the humiliating and penitential 
rites of his religion. But each day Oortez drew 
nearer, and the crowds accumulating around 
him increased. 

than one or two miles. In descending the mountain, 
at about the distance of twenty -five miles the first 
glimpse is caught of the city and valley of Mexico. 
No description can convey to the reader any adequate 
idea of the effect upon one who, for the first time, 
beholds that magnificent prospect. With what feel- 
ings must Cortez have regarded it when he first saw 
it from the top of the mountain between the snow- 
covered volcanoes of Pococatapetl and Iztaccihuatl, 
a short distance to the left of where the road now 
runs ! The valley was not then, as it is now, for the 
greater part a barren waste, but was studded all over 
with the homes of men, containing more than forty 
cities, besides towns and villages without number. 
Never has such a vision burst upon the eyes of mortal 
man since that upon which the seer of old looked 
down from Pisgah." 



THE MARCH TO MEXICO. 133 

The spirit of Montezuma was now so crushed 
that he sent an embassy to Cortez offering him 
four loads of gold for himself, and one for each 
of his captains, and he also promised to pay a 
yearly tribute to the King of Spain, if the 
dreaded conqueror would turn back. This 
messenger met the Spanish army upon the 
heights of Ithualco, as they were gazing with 
admiration upon the goodly land spread out be- 
fore them. Cortez listened with much secret 
satisfaction to this messenger, as an indication 
of the weakness and the fear of the great mon- 
arch. Returning the laconic answer, " I must 
see Montezuma, and deliver to him personally 
the message of the emperor my master," he 
more eagerly pressed on his way. 

Montezuma received this response as the 
doom decreed to him by fate. " Of what avail," 
the unhappy monarch is reported to have said, 
"is resistance, when the gods have declared 
themselves against us ? Yet I mourn most for 
the old and infirm, the women and children, too 
feeble to fight or to fly. For myself and the 
brave men around me, we must bare our breasts 
to the storm, and meet it as we may." 

The Spaniards had now arrived at the city 
of Amaquemecan. They were received by the 
principal inhabitants of the place with an os- 
tentatious display of courtesy and friendship. 
Two very large stone buildings were provided 



134 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

for their accommodation. This profuse hospi- 
tality was excited by terror. After resting 
here two days, Cortez resumed his march. 
Their path still led through smiling villages 
and fields of maize, and through gardens bloom- 
ing with gorgeous flowers, which the natives 
cultivated with religious and almost passionate 
devotion. 

At last they arrived at Ayotzingo — the Ven- 
ice of the New World — an important town, 
built on wooden piles in the waters of Lake 
Chalco. Gondolas of every variety of color, 
and of graceful structure, glided through the 
liquid streets. The main body of the Spanish 
army encamped outside of the city. A vast 
concourse of the natives flocked to the camp. 
Cortez became suspicious of premeditated 
treachery, and fifteen or twenty of the natives 
were heartlessly shot down, as an intimidation. 
The terrified Indians did not venture to resent 
this cruel requital of their hospitality. 

After remaining here two days, the march 
was again resumed along the southern shores 
of Lake Chalco. Clusters of villages, embow- 
ered in luxuriant foliage, and crimson with 
flowers, fringed the lake. The waters were 
covered with the light boats of the natives, 
gliding in every direction. At last they came 
to a narrow dike or causeway, five miles long, 
and so narrow that but two or three horsemen 



THE MARCH TO MEXICO. 135 

could ride abreast. In the middle of this cause- 
way, which separated Lake Chalco from Lake 
Xochicalco, was built the town of Cuitlahuac, 
which Cortez described as the most beautiful he 
had yet seen. Before the mansions of the prin- 
cipal inhabitants there were lawns ornamented 
with trees and shrubbery. Temples and lofty 
towers rose in much majesty of architecture. 
Floating gardens were constructed on the lake, 
and innumerable boats, plied by the strong arms 
of the native rowers, almost covered the placid 
waters. As the Spaniards marched along this 
narrow causeway, the crowd became so immense 
that Cortez was obliged to resort to threats of 
violence to force his way. The place was so 
very favorable for the natives to make an as- 
sault, that Cortez conducted the march with the 
utmost possible vigilance, and commanded the 
Indians not to come near his ranks unless they 
chose to be regarded as enemies. The ad- 
venturers were, however, received inCuitlahuac 
with the utmost kindness, and all their wants 
were abundantly supplied. 

When they had crossed the narrow cause- 
way, and had arrived on the other side of the 
lake, they entered the city of Iztapalapan, which 
contained, according to their estimate, about 
fifteen thousand houses. The city was in the 
near vicinity of the capital. The natives, with 
refinement and taste not yet equaled by the 



136 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

money-making millions of North America, had 
allotted land in the center of the city for a vast 
public garden, blooming with flowers of every 
variety of splendor. A large aviary was filled 
with birds of gorgeous plumage and sweet song. 
A stone reservoir, of ample dimensions, con- 
tained water to irrigate the grounds, and it was 
also abundantly stored with fish. Many of the 
chiefs of the neighboring cities had assembled 
here to meet Cortez. They received him with 
courtesy, with hospitality, but with reserve. 
He was now but a few miles from the re- 
nowned metropolis of Montezuma, and the 
turrets of the lofty temples of idolatry which 
embellished the capital glittered in the sunlight 
before him. 

Another night passed away, and, as another 
morning dawned, the Spanish army was again 
on the march. It was the 8th of November, 
1519. When they drew near the city, they 
were first met by a procession of a thousand of 
the principal inhabitants, adorned with waving 
plumes, and clad in finely-embroidered mantles. 
They announced that their renowned Emperor 
Montezuma was advancing to welcome the 
strangers. They were now upon the causeway 
which led from the main land to the island 
city. The long and narrow way was thronged 
with crowds which could not be numbered, 
while on each side the lake was darkened with 



THE MAECH TO MEXICO. 137 

boats. Soon the glittering train of the emperor 
appeared in the distance. 

Monteznma was accompanied by the highest 
possible pomp of semi-barbarian etiquette and 
splendor. He was seated in a gorgeous palan- 
quin, waving with plumes and glittering with 
gold, and was borne on the shoulders of four 
noblemen. Three officers, each holding a gold- 
en rod, walked before him. Others supported 
over his head, by four posts, to shelter him 
from the sun, a canopy of beautiful workman- 
ship, richly embellished with green feathers, 
and gold, and precious gems. The monarch 
wore upon his head a golden crown, surmounted 
by a rich head-dress of plumes. A mantle, 
richly embroidered with the most costly orna- 
ments, was folded gracefully upon his shoulders. 
Buskins, fringed with gold, fitted closely to his 
legs, and the soles of his shoes were of gold. 
He was tall, well formed, and a peculiarly 
handsome man. 

As the monarch drew near, Cortez dismount- 
ed, and advanced on foot to meet him. At the 
same time Montezuma alighted from his palan- 
quin, and leaning upon the arms of two of the 
highest members of his court, with great dig- 
nity approached his dreaded guest. His at- 
tendants in the mean time spread before their 
monarch rich carpets, that his sacred feet might 
not come in contact with the ground. An 



138 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

expression of anxiety and of deep melancholy 
overspread the countenance of the sovereign. 

The Mexican emperor and the Spanish ma- 
rauder met in the interchange of all Mexican 
and Castilian courtesies. After the exchange of 
a few words, the whole blended cortege marched 
through the immense crowd, which opened 
before them, and entered the imperial city. 
" "Who," exclaims Diaz, " could count the num- 
ber of men, women, and children which thronged 
the streets, the canals, and terraces on the 
tops of the houses on that day ? The whole of 
what I saw on this occasion is so strongly im- 
printed on my memory that it appears to me 
as if it had happened only yesterday. Glory to 
our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave us courage to 
venture upon such dangers, and brought us 
safely through them." 

Montezuma himself conducted Cortez to the 
quarters which he had prepared for his recep- 
tion in the heart of the metropolis. With re- 
finement of politeness which would have done 
honor to the court of Louis XIV., he said, on 
retiring, 

"You are now, with your brothers, in your 
own house. Eefresh yourselves after your fa- 
tigue, and be happy until I return." 

The spot assigned to the Spaniards was an 
immense palace, or, rather, range of mansions, 
in the very center of the metropolis, erected by 




Cortex, face p. i38 

Meeting of Cortez and Montezuma, 



THE MAECH TO MEXICO. 139 

the father of Montezuma. The buildings in- 
closed an immense courtyard. The whole was 
surrounded by a strong stone wall, surmounted 
with towers for defense and ornament. Cortez 
could not have constructed for himself a more 
admirable citadel for the accomplishment of his 
ambitious and violent purposes. The apart- 
ment assigned to the Spanish chieftain was 
tapestried with the finest embroidered cotton. 
The rooms and courts were so large as to afford 
ample accommodations for the whole Spanish 
army. 

' ' This edifice was so large/' writes one of 
the historians of that day, "that both the 
Spaniards and their allies, who, together with 
the women and the servants whom they brought 
with them, exceeded seven thousand in num- 
ber, were lodged in it. Everywhere there was 
the greatest cleanliness and neatness. Almost 
all the chambers had beds of mats of rushes, 
and of palm, according to the custom of the 
people, and other mats, in a round form, for 
pillows. They had coverlets of fine cotton, 
and chairs made of single pieces of wood. 
Some of the chambers were also carpeted with 
mats, and the walls were hung with tapestry 
beautifully colored." 

Cortez, with vigilance which never slept, im- 
mediately fortified his quarters, so as to guard 
against any possible surprise. Artillery was 



140 HERNANDO CORTE2* 

planted to sweep every avenue. Sentinels 
were posted at important points, with orders to 
observe the same diligence by night and by day 
as if they were in the midst of hostile armies. 
A large division of the troops was always on 
guard, prepared for every possible emergency. 

In the evening, Montezuma returned, with 
great pomp, to visit his terrible guests, and to 
inquire if they were provided with everything 
which could promote their comfort. He 
brought with him presents of great value for 
Oortez and his officers, and also for eacli one of 
the privates in the Spanish camp. A long con- 
ference ensued, during which Montezuma be- 
trayed his apprehension that the Spaniards were 
the conquerors indicated by tradition and 
prophecy as decreed to overthrow the Mex- 
ican power. Cortez artfully endeavored to 
frame his reply so as to encourage this illusion. 
He expatiated at great length upon the wealth 
and the resistless power of the emperor whom 
he served. " My master wishes," said he, " to 
alter certain laws and customs in this king- 
dom, and particularly to present to you a re- 
ligion far superior to the bloody creed of 
Mexico." He then, with great earnestness, un- 
folded to the respectful monarch the principal 
doctrines of Christianity — the one living and 
true G-od — the advent of the Saviour, his atone- 
ment, and salvation through faith in him — the 



THE MARCH TO MEXICO. 141 

rites of baptism and of the Lord's Supper — the 
eternal rewards of the righteous, and the unend- 
ing woes of the wicked. To these remarks 
Cortez added an indignant remonstrance 
against the abomination of human sacrifices, 
and of eating the flesh of the wretched victims. 
By way of application to this sermon, which 
was truthful in its main sentiments, and un- 
questionably sincere, this most singular of mis- 
sionaries called out the artillery. We would 
not speak lightly of sacred things in stating 
the fact that Cortez considered gunpowder as 
one of the most important of the means of 
grace. He judged that the thunder of his can- 
non, reverberating through the streets of the 
astounded capital, would exert a salutary influ- 
ence upon the minds of the natives, and pro- 
duce that pliancy of spirit, that child-like 
humility, so essential both to voluntary and 
involuntary conversion. The most important 
truth and the most revolting falsehood here 
bewilderingly meet and blend. 

The sun had now gone down, and the short 
twilight was fading away into the darkness of 
the night, when, at a given signal every can- 
non was discharged. The awful roar rolled 
through the streets of the metropolis, and froze 
the hearts of the people with terror. Were 
these strange beings, they inquired among 
themselves, who thus wielded the heaviest 



142 HERNANDO CCXRTEZ. 

thunders of heaven, gods or demons ? "Volley 
after volley, in appalling peals, burst from the 
city, and resounded over the silent lake. 
Dense volumes of suffocating smoke, scarcely 
moved by the tranquil air, settled down upon 
the streets. Silence ensued. The voice of 
Cortez had been heard in tones never to be for- 
gotten. The stars came out in the serene sky, 
and a brilliant tropical night enveloped in its 
folds the fearless Spaniard and the trembling 
Mexican. 

It was the night of the 8th of November. 
But seven months had elapsed since the Span- 
iards landed in the country. The whole Span- 
ish force, exclusive of the natives whom they 
had induced to join them, consisted of but four 
hundred and fifty men. They were now two 
hundred miles from the coast, in the very heart 
of an empire numbering many millions, and by 
sagacity, courage, and cruelty, they had suc- 
ceeded in bringing both monarch and people 
into almost entire submission to their sway. 
The genius of romance can narrate few tales 
more marvelous. 




CHAPTER VII. 

THE METEOPOLIS IKYADED. 

The next morning, Cortez, with a showy ret- 
inue of horsemen, prancing through streets 
upon which hoof had never before trodden, 
called upon the emperor. The streets were 
lined, and the roofs of the houses crowded with 
multitudes gazing upon the amazing spectacle. 
The Spanish chieftain was kindly received by 
the emperor, and three days were appointed to 
introduce him to all the objects of interest in 
the capital. Tenochtitlan was the native name 
by which the imperial city was then known. 

They first visited the great public square or 
market-place. An immense concourse was 
here assembled, engaged in peaceful traffic. 
Three judges sat in state at the end of the 
square, to settle all difficulties. A numerous 
body of police, ever moving through the crowd, 
prevented all riot or confusion. Though there 
were many other minor market-places scat- 
tered through the city, this was the principal 
one. 

Cortez then expressed the wish that he might 

143 



144 HERNANDO COKTEZ. 

be conducted to the great pyramidal temple, 
which reared its lofty structure from the heart 
of the city. The summit of the pyramid was 
an extended plain, where several hundred priests 
could officiate in sacrifice. The corners of the 
area were ornamented with towers. One hun- 
dred and fourteen steps led to the summit of 
the temple. Several large altars stood here, be- 
smeared with the blood of human sacrifices, and 
there was also a hideous image of a dragon 
polluted with gore. 

From this towering eminence the whole ad- 
jacent country lay spread out before the eye of 
of Cortez in surpassing loveliness. Gardens, 
groves, villages, waving fields of grain, and the 
wide expanse of the placid lakes, covered with 
boats gliding rapidly over the mirrored waters, 
presented a scene of beauty which excited the 
enthusiasm of Cortez to the highest pitch. 
They then entered the sanctuaries of the temple, 
where human hearts were smoking, and almost 
throbbing, upon the altars before the revolting 
images of their gods. On the summit of the 
temple there was an enormous drum or gong, 
which was struck when the miserable victim 
was shrieking beneath the knife of sacrifice. 
Its doleful tones, it was said, floating over the 
still waters of the lake, could be heard at the 
distance of many miles. 

From these sickening scenes Cortez turned 



THE METROPOLIS INVADED. 145 

away in disgust, and exclaimed indignantly to 
Montezuma, 

" How can you, wise and powerful as you 
are, put trust in such representatives of the 
devil ? Why do you allow your people to be 
butchered before these abominable idols ? Let 
me place here the cross, and the image of the 
blessed Virgin and of her Son, and the influ- 
ence of these detestable idols will soon vanish." 

Montezuma, shocked by words which he 
deemed so blasphemous, and dreading the swift 
vengeance of the gods, hurried his irreverent 
guest away. 

" Go," said he, " go hence, I entreat you, 
while I remain to appease, if possible, the 
wrath of the gods whom you have so dreadfully 
provoked." 

But these scenes aroused anew the religious 
zeal of Cortez and his companions. As they 
returned to their lodgings, they immediately 
converted one of the halls of their residence 
into a Christian chapel. Here the rites of the 
Roman Catholic Church were introduced, and 
the whole army of Cortez, with soldierly devo- 
tion, attended mass every day. Good Father 
Olmedo, with perhaps a clouded intellect, but 
with that recognition of the universal brother- 
hood of man which sincere piety ever confers, 
prayed fervently for God's blessing upon his 
frail children of every name and nation. 

11— Cortes -n 



146 HERtfAtfDO COitTEZ. 

The Spaniards estimated the population of 
the city at about five hundred thousand. The 
streets were very regularly laid out at right 
angles. Many of them were wide, and lined 
with shade-trees. The houses of the common 
people were small but comfortable cottages, 
built of reeds or of bricks baked in the sun. 
The dwellings of the nobles and of the more 
wealthy inhabitants were strongly-built man- 
sions of stone, very extensive on the ground 
floor, though generally but one story high. 
They were inclosed in gardens blooming with 
flowers. Fountains of cool water, conveyed 
through earthen pipes, played in the court- 
yards. The police regulations were unsurpassed 
by those of any city in Europe. A thousand 
persons were continually employed in sweeping 
and watering the streets. So clean were the 
well-cemented pavements kept, that " a man 
could walk through the streets/' says one of 
the Spanish historians, " with as little danger 
of soiling his feet as his hands.-" 

Day after day was passed in the interchange 
of visits, and in the careful examination by 
Cortez of the strength and the resources of the 
city. He had now been a week in the capital, 
and the question naturally arose, What is next 
to be done ? He was, indeed, perplexed to de- 
cide this question. Montezuma treated him 
with such extraordinary hospitality, supplying 



THE METROPOLIS INVADED. 147 

all his wants, and leaving him at perfect liberty, 
that it was difficult for one, who laid any claim 
whatever to a conscience, to find occasion to 
pick a quarrel. To remain inactive, merely 
enjoying the luxury of a most hospitable enter- 
tainment, was not only accomplishing nothing, 
but was also enervating the army. It was also 
to be apprehended that the Mexicans would 
gradually regain their courage as they counted 
the small number of the invaders, and fall upon 
them with resistless power. 

The Tlascalans, who had rioted in blood at 
Cholula, seemed anxious for a renewal of that 
scene of awful butchery in the streets of 
Mexico. They assured Cortez that he had 
everything to fear from the treachery of Mon- 
tezuma ; that he had lured them into the city 
but to inclose them in a trap ; that the draw- 
bridges of the causeways need but be removed, 
and escape for the Spaniards would be impos- 
sible. They assured him that the Mexican 
priests had counseled Montezuma, in the name 
of the gods, to admit the strangers into the 
capital that he might cut them off at a blow. 
It was obvious, even to the meanest soldier, that 
all this might be true, and that they were in 
reality in a trap from which it would be exceed- 
ingly difficult to extricate themselves, should 
the Mexicans manifest any resolute hostility. 

On the east the island city had no connection 



148 



HERNANDO CORTEZ. 



with the main land, and could only be approach- 
ed over the broad waters of the lake by canoes. 
On the west the city was entered by an artifi- 
cial causeway, built of earth and stone, a mile 
and a half in length, and but thirty feet in 




CITY OP MEXICO. 

breadth. A similar causeway on the northwest, 
three miles long, connected the city with the 
main land. There was another causeway on 
the south, six miles long. There were many 
openings along these causeways, through which 
the waters of the lake flowed unimpeded. These 



THE METROPOLIS INVADED. 149 

Openings were bridged over by means of tim- 
ber. The destruction of these bridges, which 
might be accomplished at any hour, would ren- 
der an escape for the Spaniards almost impos- 
sible. 

In this dilemma, the bold Spaniard adopted 
the audacious yet characteristic plan of seizing 
Montezuma, who was regarded with almost re- 
ligious adoration by his subjects, and holding 
him as a hostage. The following occurrence 
furnished Cortez with a plausible pretext to 
pick a quarrel. 

We have before mentioned that the Totonacs, 
wishing to escape from the subjection of the 
Mexicans, had acknowledged themselves vas- 
sals of the King of Spain. When the officers 
of Montezuma attempted, as usual, to collect the 
taxes, the Totonacs refused payment. Force 
was resorted to, and a conflict arose. The col- 
ony at Vera Cruz immediately sent some sol- 
diers to aid their allies, headed by Escalente, 
the commander of the Spanish garrison. In 
the engagement which ensued, Escalente and 
seven of his men were mortally wounded, one 
horse was killed, and one Spaniard taken cap- 
tive, who soon, however, died of his wounds. 
Still the Spaniards, with their Totonac allies, 
were victorious, and repelled the Mexicans with 
much slaughter. The vanquished party cut 
off the head of their unfortunate prisoner, and 



150 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

carried it in triumph to several cities, to show 
that their foes were not invulnerable. 

With alacrity Cortez availed himself of this 
event. He immediately repaired to the palace 
of Montezuma, and, with bitter reproaches, ac- 
cused him of treacherously ordering an assault 
upon the Spaniards who had been left at Vera 
Cruz. Sternly the pitiless Spaniard demanded 
reparation for the loss, and atonement for the 
insult. Montezuma, confounded at this unex- 
pected accusation, earnestly declared that the 
order had not been issued by him, but that the 
distant officer had acted on his own responsibil- 
ity, without consulting the sovereign. Ungen- 
erously he added that, in proof of his innocence, 
he would immediately command the offending 
officer, Qualpopoca, and his accomplices, to be 
brought prisoners to Mexico, and to be deliv- 
ered to Cortez for any punishment which the 
Spaniards might decree. 

Cortez now feigned a relenting mood, and de- 
clared that he could not himself doubt the word 
of the emperor, but that something more was 
requisite to appease the rage of his followers. 
" Nothing/' said he, " can satisfy them of your 
sincerity and of your honorable intentions, un- 
less you will leave your palace, and take up 
your abode in the Spanish quarters. This will 
pacify my men, and they will honor you there 
as becomes a great monarch." 



THE METROPOLIS INVADED. 151 

When Marina interpreted this strange pro- 
posal, Montezuma was for a moment so struck 
with amazement as to be almost bereft of speech. 
His cheek was flushed with shame and rage, 
and then the hectic glow passed away into 
deadly paleness. His ancient spirit was for a 
moment revived, and he exclaimed, indignantly, 

" When did ever a monarch suffer himself 
to be tamely led to a prison ? Even were I will- 
ing to debase myself in so vile a manner, would 
not my people immediately arm themselves to 
set me free ? " 

One of the impetuous attendants of Oortez, 
as the altercation continued, exclaimed, grasp- 
ing his sword, 

" Why waste time in vain ? Let us either 
seize him instantly or stab him to the heart." 

Montezuma, though he did not understand 
his words, observed the threatening voice and 
the fierce gesture, and, turning to the amiable 
interpretress, Marina, inquired what he said. 

ee Sire," she replied, with her characteristic 
mildness and tact, " as your subject, I desire 
your happiness ; but as the confidante of those 
men, I know their secrets, and am acquainted 
with their character. If you yield to their 
wishes, you will be treated with all the honor 
due to your royal person ; but if you persist in 
your refusal, your life will be in danger." 

Montezuma, reading in these events, as he 



152 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

supposed, but the decrees of fate, now yielded. 
He called his officers, and informed them of his 
decision. Though they were plunged into utter 
consternation by the intelligence, they did not 
venture to question his will. The imperial 
palanquin was brought, and the humiliated 
emperor was conveyed, followed by a mourning 
crowd, to the Spanish quarters. Montezuma 
endeavored to appease them, and to prevent any 
act of violence, by assuring the people that it 
was his own pleasure to go and reside with his 
friends. He was now so thoroughly convinced 
of the resistless power of the Spaniards, and 
that he was swept along by the decrees of fate, 
that he dreaded any movement of resistance on 
tha part of his people.* 

He was magnificently imprisoned. His own 
servants were permitted to attend him, and he 
continued to administer the government as if 
he had been in his own palace. All the forms 
of courtly etiquette were scrupulously observed 
in approaching his person. Ostensibly to con- 
fer upon him greater honor, a body-guard of 
stern Spanish veterans was appointed for his 
protection. This body-guard, with all external 

* Bernal Diaz says, " It having been decided that 
we should seize the person of the King, we passed the 
whole of the preceding night in praying to our Lord 
that he would be pleased to guide us, so that what we 
were going to do should rewound to his holy seryicf, 



THE METEOPOLIS IKVADED. 158 

demonstrations of obsequiousness, watched him 
by night and by day, rendering escape impos- 
sible. 

This violence, however, was but the begin- 
ning of the humiliation and anguish imposed 
upon the unhappy monarch. The governor, 
Qualpopoca, who had ventured to resist the 
Spaniards, was brought a captive to the capital, 
with his son and fifteen of the principal officers 
who had served under him. They were imme- 
diately surrendered to Cortez, that he might 
determine their crime and their punishment. 
Qualpopoca was put to the torture. He avowed, 
in his intolerable agony, that he had only 
obeyed the orders of his sovereign. Cortez, 
who wished to impress the Mexicans, with the 
idea that it was the greatest of all conceivable 
crimes to cause the death of a Spaniard, deter- 
mined to inflict upon them a punishment which 
should appal every beholder. They were all 
doomed to be burned alive in the great market- 
place of the city. To allow no time for any re- 
sistance to be organized, they were immediately 
led out for execution. In the royal arsenals 
there was an immense amount of arrows, spears, 
javelins, and other wooden martial weapons, 
which had been collected for the defense of the 
city. These the soldiers gathered, thus disarm- 
ing the population, and heaped them up in an 
immense funeral pile. 



154 HEENAKDO CORTEZ. 

While these atrocities were in preparation, 
Cortez entered the presence of his captive, Mon- 
tezuma, and sternly accused him of being an 
accomplice in the death of the Spaniards. He 
then pitilessly ordered the soldiers who accom- 
panied him to bind upon the hands and the feet 
of the monarch the iron manacles of a felon. 
It was one of the most cruel insults which con Id 
have been inflicted upon fallen majesty, Mon- 
tezuma was speechless with horror, and his 
attendants, who regarded the person of their 
sovereign with religious veneration, wailed and 
wept. The shackles being adjusted. Cortez 
turned abruptly upon his heel, leaving the mon- 
arch in the endurance of this ignominious pun- 
ishment, and went out to attend to the execu- 
tion of the victims, who were already bound to 
the stake. 

The cruel fires were then kindled. The 
flames crackled, and rose in fierce, devouring 
billows around the sufferers. The stern sol- 
diery stood, with musketry and artillery loaded 
and primed, ready to repel any attempts at res- 
cue. Thousands of Mexicans, with no time for 
consideration, gazed with awe upon the appall- 
ing spectacle ; and the Indian chieftains, with- 
out a struggle or an audible groan, were burned 
to ashes. The dreadful execution being ter- 
minated, and the blood of the Spaniards being 
thus avenged by the degradation of the sov- 




Oortez,facep. i54 



Montezuma, 



THE METROPOLIS INVADED. 155 

ereign and the death of his officers, Cortez re- 
turned to Montezuma, and ordered the fetters 
to be struck from his limbs. 

Step after step of violence succeeded, until 
Montezuma was humbled to the dust. The 
fearful rigor with which Cortez had punished 
even the slightest attempt to resist the Span- 
iards overawed the nation. Cortez was now 
virtually the Emperor of Mexico. The general 
laws and customs of the nation remained un- 
changed ; but Cortez issued his commands 
through Montezuma, and the mandates of the 
imprisoned sovereign were submissively obeyed. 
With great skill, tms Spaniard adventurer 
availed himself of these new powers. He sent 
a Spanish commission, by the authority and 
under the protection of Montezuma, to explore 
the empire — to ascertain its strength and its 
weakness, its wealth and its resources. These 
officers went to nearly all the provinces, and, 
by their arrogant display of power, endeavored 
to intimidate the natives, and to prepare them 
for entire subjection to Spain. 

Mexican officers, whose fidelity Cortez sus- 
pected, were degraded, and their places sup- 
plied by others whose influence he had secured. 
A % general contribution of gold was exacted 
throughout the whole Mexican territories for 
the benefit of the conquerors. 

A large sum was thus collected. One fifth. 



156 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

of this was laid aside for his majesty, the King 
of Spain. Another fifth was claimed by Cor- 
tez. The remaining portion was so greatly ab- 
sorbed to defray the innumerable expenses of 
the expedition, that only about one hundred 
crowns fell to the lot of each soldier. This ex- 
cited discontent so deep and loud that Cortez 
was compelled to attempt to pacify his men by 
a public address. „ 

"He called us together/' says Diaz, "and 
in a long set speech, gave us a great many hon- 
eyed words, which he had an extraordinary fa- 
cility of doing, wondering how we could be so 
solicitous about a little paltry gold when the 
whole country would soon be ours, with all its 
rich mines, wherewith there was enough to 
make us great lords and princes, and I know 
not what." 

Cortez was cautious as well as bold. To 
prepare for a retreat in case of necessity, should 
the Mexicans seize their arms and break down 
their bridges, he wished, without exciting the 
suspicions of the natives, to build some vessels 
which would command the lake. He accom- 
plished this with his usual address. In con- 
versation with Montezuma, he gave the mon- 
arch such glowing accounts of floating palaces, 
which would glide rapidly over the water with- 
out oars, as to excite the intense curiosity of 
his captive. Montezuma expressed a strong 



THE METROPOLIS INVADED. 157 

desire to see these wenderf ul fabrics. Cortez, 
tinder the pretext of gratifying this desire, very 
obligingly consented to build two brigantines. 
The resources of the empire were immediately 
placed at the disposal of Cortez. A multitude 
of men were sent to the forest to cut down ship- 
timber and draw it to the lake. Several hun- 
dred men of burden were despatched to Vera 
Crux to transport naval stores from that place 
to Mexico. Aided by so many strong arms, 
the Spanish carpenters soon succeeded in con- 
structing two vessels, which amused the mon- 
arch and his people, and which afforded the 
Spaniards an invaluable resource in the hour 
of danger. 

But the insolent bearing of the Spaniards had 
now become to many quite unendurable. Ca- 
camatzin, the chief of the powerful city of Tez- 
cuco, at the farther extremity of the lake, was 
a nephew of Montezuma. He was a bold man, 
and his indignation, in view of the pusillanimity 
of his uncle, at last overleaped his prudence. 
He began to assemble an army to make war 
upon the Spaniards. The Mexicans began to 
rally around their new leader. The indications 
were alarming to Cortez, and even Montezuma 
became apprehensive that he might lose his 
crown, for it was reported that Cacamatzin, re- 
garding his uncle as degraded and a captive, 
intended to seize the reins of empire. Under 



158 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

these circumstances, Oortez and Montezuma 
acted in perfect harmony against their common 
foe. After several unsuccessful stratagems to 
get possession of the person of the bold chief- 
tain, Montezuma sent some of his nobles, who 
secretly seized him, and brought him a prisoner 
to the capital, where he was thrust into prison. 
A partizan of Cortez was sent to take the place 
of Cacamatzin as governor of the province of 
Tezcuco. Thus this danger was averted. 

Cortez still felt much solicitude concerning 
the judgment of the King of Spain respecting 
his bold assumption of authority. He well 
knew that Velasquez, the governor of Cuba, 
whose dominion he had so recklessly renounced, 
would report the proceedings to the court at 
Madrid, sustained by all the influence he could 
command. To conciliate his sovereign, and to 
bribe him to indulgence, he extorted from the 
weeping, spirit-crushed sovereign of Mexico an 
acknowledgment of vassalage to the King of 
Spain. This humiliating deed was invested 
with much imposing pomp. All the nobles and 
lords were assembled in a large hall in the Span- 
ish quarters. The poor monarch wept bitterly, 
and his voice often broke with emotion as he 
tremblingly said, 

" I speak as the gods direct. Our prophets 
have told us that a new race is to come to sup- 
plant our own. The hour has arrived. The 



THE METROPOLIS INVADED. 159 

scepter passes from my hands by the decrees of 
fate which no one can resist. I now surrender to 
the King of the East my power and allegiance, 
and promise to pay to him an annual tribute. " 

A general outburst of amazement and in- 
dignation from the nobles followed this address. 
Cortez, apprehensive that he might have pro- 
ceeded a little too far, endeavored to appease 
the rising agitation by the assurance that his 
master had no intention to deprive Montezuma 
of his regal power, or to make any innovations 
upon the manners and the laws of the Mexicans. 
The act of submission and homage was, how- 
ever, executed with all the formalities which 
Cortez saw fit to prescribe. The nobles retired, 
exasperated to the highest degree, and burning 
with desires for vengeance. 

Encouraged by these wonderful successes, 
and by the tame submission of the monarch, 
Cortez resolved upon the entire overthrow, by 
violence if necessary, of the whole system of 
idolatry, and to introduce Catholic Christianity 
in its stead. He had often, with the most im- 
portunate zeal, urged Montezuma, to renounce 
his false gods and to embrace the Christian 
faith. But superstition was too firmly en- 
throned in the heart of the Mexican monarch to 
be easily supplanted. To everything but this 
the monarch was ready to yield ; but every 
proposition to renounce his gods he rejected with 

12— Cortea 



160 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

horror. Cortez at length firmly ordered his sol- 
diers to march to the temples and sweep them 
clean of every vestige of paganism. This roused 
the priests. They seized their arms, and the 
alarm was spread rapidly through the streets 
of the city. Vast multitudes, grasping such 
weapons as they could get, assembled around 
the temples, resolved to brave every peril in 
defense of their religion. Matters assumed an 
aspect so threatening, that, for the first time, 
Cortez found it necessary to draw back. He 
contented himself with simply ejecting the gods 
fro n one of the shrines, and in erecting in their 
stead an image of the Virgin. 

There were now many indications of approach- 
ing trouble. The natives were greatly pro- 
voked, and it was evident that they were watch- 
ing for a favorable opportunity to rise against 
their invaders. Cortez practised the most 
sleepless vigilance. Diaz speaks thus of the 
hardships he and his comrades endured : 

" During the nine months that we remained 
in Mexico, every man, without any distinction 
between officers and soldiers, slept on his arms, 
in his quilted jacket and gorget. They lay on 
mats or straw spread on the floor, and each was 
obliged to hold himself as alert as if he had 
been on guard. This became so habitual to 
me, that even now, in my advanced age, I al- 
ways sleep in my clothes, and never in any bed." 



THE METROPOLIS INVADED. 161 

Just in this crisis alarming intelligence was 
received from the commander of the garrison 
at Vera Cruz. One of the ships of the delega- 
tion sent to Spain, of which we have previously 
spoken, had, contrary to the orders of Oortez, 
stopped at Cuba. In this way the indignant 
governor, Velasquez, learned that Cortez had 
renounced all connection with him, and had 
set up an independent colony. His anger was 
roused to the utmost, and he resolved upon 
summary vengeance. It so happened that 
Velasquez had just received from his sovereign 
the appointment of governor for life, and was 
authorized to prosecute discoveries in Mexico 
with very extensive and exclusive privileges 
and powers. 

He immediately fitted out an armament con- 
sisting of nineteen ships, with eighty horsemen, 
fourteen hundred soldiers, and twenty pieces of 
cannon. This was, in that day, a formidable 
force. The commandant, Narvaez, was ordered 
to seize Cortez and his principal officers, and 
send them in chains to Cuba. He was then, in 
the name of Velasquez, to prosecute the dis- 
covery and the conquest of the country. 

After a prosperous voyage, the fleet cast 
anchor in the Bay of St. Juan de Ulua, and 
the soldiers were landed. Narvaez then sent a 
summons to the governor of Vera Cruz to sur- 
render. Sandoval, the commandant, however, 



162 HERKANDO CORTEZ. 

being zealously attached to Cortez, seized the 
envoy and his attendants, and sent them in 
chains to the capital, with intelligence of the 
impending peril. Cortez, with his wonted sa- 
gacity, received them as friends, ordered their 
chains to be struck off, condemned the severity 
of Sandoval, and loaded them with caresses and 
presents. He thus won their confidence, and 
drew from them all the particulars of the force, 
and the intentions of the expedition. Cortez 
had great cause for alarm when he learned that 
Narvaez was instructed to espouse the cause of 
Montezuma ; to assure the Mexican monarch 
that the violence which he had suffered was un- 
authorized by the King of Spain, and that he 
was ready to assist Montezuma and his subjects 
in repelling the invaders from the capital. 
From peril so imminent no ordinary man could 
have extricated himself. Narvaez was already 
on the march, and the natives, enraged against 
Cortez, were in great numbers joining the 
standard of the new-comers. Already emis- 
saries from the camp of Narvaez had reached the 
capital, and had communicated to Montezuma, 
through the nobles, intelligence that Narvaez 
was marching to his relief. Montezuma was 
overjoyed, and his nobles were elated with hope, 
as they secretly collected arms and marshaled 
their forces for battle. 

Cortez immediately despatched Father 01- 



THE METROPOLIS INVADED. 163 

medo to meet Narvaez to propose terms of ac- 
commodation. He was fully aware that no such 
terms as he proposed could be acceded to ; but 
Olmedo and his attendants were enjoined, as 
the main but secret object of their mission, to 
do everything they could, by presents, caresses, 
promises, and glowing descriptions of the 
greatness of Cortez, his power, and the glory 
opening before him, to induce the officers and 
soldiers of Narvaez to abandon his standard, 
and range themselves under the banner of 
Cortez. 

At the same time, Cortez, leaving one hun- 
dred and fifty men, under Alvarado, to guard 
the fortified camp in the metropolis, set out by 
forced marches, with the rest of his force, to 
fall unexpectedly upon Narvaez. His strength 
did not exceed two hundred and fifty men. In 
a great emergency like this, the natives could 
not be trusted. As Cortez drew near his foe, 
he found that Narvaez was encamped upon a 
great plain in the vicinity of Zempoalla. A 
terrible tempest arose. Black clouds darkened 
the sky, and the rain fell in floods. The sol- 
diers of Narvaez, drenched through and through 
by the unceasing torrents, demanded to be led 
to the shelter of the houses in Zempoalla. 
They deemed it impossible that any foe could 
approach in such a storm ; but the storm, in 
all its pitiless fury, was the very re-enforcement 



164 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

which Cortez and his men desired. Black mid- 
night came, and the careering tempest swept 
the deluged streets of Zempoalla, driving even 
the sentinels to seek shelter. 

Cortez gathered his little band around him, 
and roused them, by a vigorous harangue, for 
an immediate attack. The odds were fearful. 
Cortez had but two hundred and fifty men. 
Narvaez had fifteen hundred, with nineteen 
pieces of artillery and eighty horsemen. Giv- 
ing the soldiers for their countersign the in- 
spiring words, " The Holy Spirit," they rushed 
though the darkness and the raging storm upon 
the unsuspecting foe. They first directed 
their energies for the capture of the artillery. 
The party who made this attack was headed by 
Pizarro, " an active lad," says Diaz, " whose 
name, however, was at that time as little known 
as that of Peru." The guns were seized, after 
a short aud not a very sanguinary struggle. 
They then, without a moment's delay, turned 
upon the horsemen. But the sleeping foe was 
now effectually aroused. A short scene of con- 
sternation, clamor, horror, and blood ensued. 
The companions of Cortez fought with the en- 
ergies of despair. To them, defeat was certain 
death. The soldiers of Narvaez were bewil- 
dered. Many of them, even before the battle, 
were half disposed to abandon Narvaez and join 
tk§ §tanda,r$ of Oprfcez, of whose renown they 



THE METROPOLIS INVADED. 165 

had heard such glowing accounts. Taken by 
a midnight surprise, they fought manfully for 
a time. But at length, in the hot and tumul- 
tuary fight, a spear pierced the cheek of Nar- 
vaez, and tore out one of his eyes. He was 
struck down and made a prisoner. This led to 
an immediate surrender. The genius of Cor- 
tez had most signally triumphed. Though 
many were wounded in this conflict, but two 
men on the side of Cortez were killed, and fif- 
teen of the party of Narvaez. 

The artful conqueror loaded the vanquished 
with favors, and soon succeeded in winning 
nearly all of them to engage in his service. 
With enthusiasm these new recruits, thus sin- 
gularly gained, rallied around him, eager to 
march in the paths of glory to which such a 
leader could guide them. 

This achievement was hardly accomplished 
ere a new peril menaced the victorious Span- 
iard. An express arrived from the Mexican 
metropolis with the intelligence that the Mex- 
icans had risen in arms ; that they had at- 
tacked the Spaniards in their quarters, and had 
killed several, and had wounded more ; that 
they had also seized the two brigantines, de- 
stroyed the magazine of provisions^ and that the 
whole garrison was in imminent danger of de- 
struction. 

Immediately collecting his whole force, now 



166 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

greatly augmented by the accession of the van- 
quished troops of Narvaez, with their cavalry 
and artillery, Oortez hastened back from Zem- 
poalla to the rescue of his beleaguered camp. 
His army now, with his strangely acquired re- 
enforcement, amounted to over a thousand in- 
fantry and a hundred cavalry, besides several 
thousands of the natives, whom he recruited 
from his allies, the Totonacs. 

The danger was so imminent that his troops 
were urged to the utmost possible rapidity of 
march. At Tlascala, two thousand of those 
fierce warriors joined him ; but as he advanced 
into the territory of Montezuma, he met every- 
where the evidences of strong disaffection to 
his cause. The nobles avoided his camp. 
The inhabitants of cities and villages retired 
at his approach. No food was brought to him. 
The natives made no attempt to oppose a force 
so resistless, but they left before him a path of 
silence and solitude. 

When the Spaniards arrived at the causeway 
which led to the city, they found, to their sur- 
prise, that the Mexicans had not destroyed the 
bridges, but throughout the whole length of 
this narrow passage no person was to be seen. 
No one welcomed or opposed. Fiercely those 
stern men strode on, over the causeway and 
through the now deserted streets, till they en- 
tered into the encampment of their comrades. 



TttE METROPOLIS INVADED. 16? 

The insurrection had been suddenly excited 
by an atrocious massacre on the part of Alva- 
rado. This leader, a brave soldier, but desti- 
tute either of tact or judgment, suspected, or 
pretended to suspect, that the Mexican nobles 
were conspiring to attack him. One of their 
religious festivals was at hand, when all the 
principal nobles of the empire were to be as- 
sembled in the performance of the rites of their 
religion, in the courtyard of the great temple. 
Suddenly Alvarado came upon them, when 
they were thus unarmed and unsuspicious, and, 
cutting them off from every avenue of escape, 
with musketry, artillery, and the keen sabers 
of his horsemen, mercilessly hewed them down. 
Nearly six hundred of the flower of the Mex- 
ican nobility were massacred. Though Cortez 
was very indignant with his lieutenant when he 
heard this story from his lips, and exclaimed, 
" Your conduct has been that of a madman," 
he was still enraged with the Mexicans for 
venturing to attack his garrison, and declared 
that they should feel the weight of Spanish 
vengeance. 

In his displeasure, he refused to call upon 
Montezuma. Elated by the success with which 
he had thus far triumphed over all obstacles, 
and deeming the forces he now had under his 
command sufficient to sweep, like chaff before 
the whirlwind, any armies which the natives 



i68 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

could raise, he gave free utterance to expres- 
sions of contempt for both prince and people, 
There had been a tacit truce between the two 
parties for a few days, and had Cortez disvowed 
the conduct of his subaltern, and pursued con- 
ciliatory measures, it is possible that the natives 
might again have been appeased. The insolent 
tone he assumed, and his loud menace of venge- 
ance, aroused the natives anew, and they 
grasped their arms with a degree of deter- 
mination and ferocity never manifested before. 
Bernal Diaz in the following terms records 
this event : " Cortez asked Alvarado for what 
reason he fell upon the natives while they were 
dancing and holding a festival in honor of their 
gods. To this Alvarado replied that it was in 
order to be beforehand with them, having had 
intelligence of their hostile intentions toward 
him from two of their own nobility and a priest. 
Cortez then asked of him if it was true that 
they had requested of him permission to hold 
their festival. The other replied that it was 
so, and that it was in order to take them by sur- 
prise, and to punish and terrify them, so as 
to prevent their making war upon the Span- 
iards, that he had determined to fall on them 
by anticipation. At hearing this avowal, Cor- 
tez was highly enraged. He censured the con- 
duct of Alvarado in the strongest terms, and 
in this temper left him. _ 



THE METROPOLIS INVADED. 



169 



" Some say that it was avarice which tempted 
Alvarado to make this attack, in order to pillage 
the Indians of the golden ornaments which 
they wore at their festival. I never heard any 
just reason for the assertion ; nor do I believe 
any such thing, although it is so represented 
by Bartholome de las Oasas. For my part, I am 
convinced that his intention in falling on them 
at that time was in order to strike terror into 
them, and prevent their insurrection, according 
to the saying that the first attack is half the 
battle." 




Alvarado, 




CHAPTER VIII. 



BATTLE OF THE DISMAL NIGHT. 



The force which Cortez now had under his 
command, if we take into consideration the 
efficiency of European discipline and of Euro- 
pean weapons of warfare, was truly formidable. 
In the stone buildings which protected and en- 
circled his encampment, he could marshal, in 
battle array, twelve hundred Spaniards and 
eight thousand native allies ; but they were 
nearly destitute of provisions, and the natives 
were rapidly assembling from all quarters in 
countless numbers. Cortez sent four hundred 
men out into the streets to reconnoiter. They 
had hardly emerged from the walls of their for- 
tress before they were assailed with shouts of 
vengeance, and a storm of arrows and jave- 
lins fell upon them. Frenzied multitudes 
thronged the streets and the house-tops, and 
from the roofs and the summits of the temples, 
stones and all similiar missiles were poured down 
upon the heads of the Spaniards. With great 

difficulty this strong detachment fought their 
170 



BATTLE OF THE DISMAL NIGHT. 171 

way back to their fortified quarters, having lost 
twenty-three in killed, and a large number 
being wounded. 

This success greatly emboldened the Mexi- 
cans, and in locust legions they pressed upon 
the Spanish quarters, rending the air with their 
unearthly shouts, and darkening the sky with 
their missiles. The artillery was immediately 
brought to bear upon them, and every volley 
opened immense gaps in their ranks ; but the 
places of the dead were instantly occupied by 
others, and there seemed to be no end to their 
numbers. Never did mortal men display more 
bravery than these exasperated Mexicans ex- 
hibited, struggling for their homes and their 
rights. Twice they came very near forcing an 
entrance over the walls into the Spanish quar- 
ters. Had they succeeded, in a hand to hand 
fight numbers must have triumphed, and the 
Spaniards must have been inevitably destroyed ; 
but the batteries of the Spaniards mowed down 
the assailants like grass before the scythe, and 
the Mexicans were driven from the walls. All 
the day long the conflict was continued, and 
late into the night. The ground was covered 
with the dead when darkness stopped the car- 
nage. 

The soldiers of Narvaez, unaccustomed to 
such scenes, and appalled by the fury and the 
number of their enemies, began to murmur 



172 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

loudly. They had been promised the spoils of 
an empire which they were assured was already 
conquered ; instead of this, they found them- 
selves in the utmost peril, exposed to a conflict 
with a vigorous and exasperated enemy, sur- 
rounding them with numbers which could not 
be counted. Bitterly they execrated their own 
folly in allowing themselves to be thus deluded ; 
but their murmurs could now be of no avail. 
The only hope for the Spaniards was in united 
and indomitable courage. 

The energies of Cortez increased with the 
difficulties which surrounded him. During the 
night he selected a strong force of picked men 
to make a vigorous sally in the morning. To 
nerve them to higher daring, he resolved to 
head the perilous enterprise himself. He availed 
himself of all his knowledge of Indian warfare, 
and of all the advantages which European mili- 
tary art could furnish. In the early dawn, these 
troops, in solid column, rushed from the gates 
of their fortress ; but the foe, greatly augmented 
by the fresh troops which had been pouring in 
during the night, were ready to receive him. 
Both parties fought with ferocity which has 
never been surpassed. Cortez, to his inexpres- 
sible chagrin, found himself compelled to retire 
before the natives, who, in numbers perfectly 
amazing, were crowding upon him. 

Most of the streets were traversed by canals. 



BATTLE OF THE DISMAL NIGHT. 173 

The bridges were broken down, and the Span- 
iards, thus arrested in their progress and 
crowded together, were overwhelmed with stones 
and arrows from the house-tops. Cortez set 
fire to the houses everywhere along his line of 
march. Though the walls of many of these 
buildings were of stone, the flames ran eagerly 
through the dry and combustible interior, and 
leaped from roof to roof. A wide and wasting 
conflagration soon swept horribly through the 
doomed city, adding to the misery of the bloody 
strife. All the day long the battle raged. The 
streets were strewn with the bodies of the dead, 
and crimsoned, with gore. The natives cheer- 
fully sacrificed a hundred of their own lives to 
take the life of one of their foes. The Span- 
iards were, however, at length driven back 
behind their walls, leaving twelve of their num- 
ber dead in the streets, and having sixty severely 
wounded. 

Another night darkened over the bloodstained 
and smoldering city. The Spaniards, exhausted 
by the interminable conflict, still stood fiercely 
behind their ramparts. The natives in con- 
tinually increasing numbers, surrounded them, 
filling the night air with shritks of defiance and 
rage. Cortez had displayed personally the most 
extraordinary heroism during the protracted 
strife. His situation now seemed desperate. 
Though many thousands of the Mexicans had 

13— Cortez Q 



174 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

been slaughtered during the day, recruits nocked 
in so rapidly that their numbers remained un- 
diminished. Cortez had received a severe 
wound in his hand which caused him intense 
anguish. His soldiers could hardly stand, from 
their exhaustion. Many had been slain, and 
nearly all were wounded. The maddened roar 
of countless thousands of the fiercest warriors 
surging around their bulwarks almost deafened 
the ear. Every moment it was apprehended 
that the walls would be scaled , and the inunda- 
tion pour in resistlessly upon them. 

In this extremity Cortez decided to appeal to 
his captive Montezuma, and try the effect of his 
interposition to soothe or overawe his subjects. 
Assuming the tone of humanity, he affected to 
deplore the awful carnage which had taken 
place. He affirmed that the city must in- 
evitably be destroyed entirely, and the inhab- 
itants generally slaughtered, unless they could 
be induced to lay down their arms. Mon tezuma, 
from one of the towers of the Spanish fortress, 
had watched, with a throbbing heart and flooded 
eyes, the progress of the fight as the flames 
swept through the streets, and destruction, like 
a scythe, mowed down his subjects. The ami- 
able, beloved, perplexed sovereign was thus in- 
duced, though with much hesitation, to inter- 
pose. He was adored by his people ; but he 
believed that the Spaniards were enthroned by 



BATTLE OF THE DISMAL NIGHT. 175 

the voice of destiny, and that resistance would 
but involve the nation in a more bloody ruin. 

Another morning dawned upon the combat- 
ants. In its earliest light the battle was again 
renewed with increasing fury. No pen can de- 
scribe the tumult of this wild war. The yell of 
countless thousands of assailants, the clang of 
their trumpets, gongs, and drums, the clash 
of arms, the rattle of musketry, and the roar 
of artillery, presented a scene which had never 
before found a parallel in the New World. 

Suddenly all the tumult was hushed as the 
venerated emperor, dressed in his imperial 
robes, appeared upon the walls, and waved his 
hand to command the attention of his subjects. 
At the sight of their beloved sovereign silence 
almost instantaneously prevailed, all bowed 
their heads in reverence, and many prostrated 
themselves upon the ground. Montezuma 
earnestly entreated them to cease from the con- 
flict, assuring them that the Spaniards would 
retire from the city if the Mexicans would lay 
down their arms, 

"The war will soon be over," a Mexican 
shoufed from the crowd, " for we have all sworn 
that not a Spaniard shall leave the city alive." 

As Montezuma continued his urgency, plead- 
ing for the detested Spaniards, the natives for 
a few moments longer continued to listen pa- 
tiently. But gradually a sullen murmur^ like 



176 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

a rising breeze, began to spread through the 
ranks. Reproaches and threats succeeded. In- 
dignation now overtopped all barriers, and a 
shower of stones and arrows suddenly fell upon 
the unhappy- monarch. Cortez had taken the 
precaution to send a body-guard upon the wall 
with Montezuma, with bucklers for his protec- 
tion ; but so sudden and unexpected was the 
assault, that two arrows pierced his body, and 
a stone, striking him on the temple, felled him 
senseless to the ground before they could raise 
their shields. This was the last drop in the 
cup of bitterness which Montezuma was doomed 
to drain. The wounded monarch was conveyed 
to his apartment, crushed in spirit, and utterly 
broken-hearted. Finally, resolved no longer 
to live, he tore the bandages from his wounds, 
and refused all nourishment. Silent, and brood- 
ing over his terrible calamities, he lingered, 
the picture of dejection and woe, for a few 
days, until he died. 

In the mean time the battle was resumed 
with all its fury. Throughout the clay it raged 
with the most intense ferocity. The Mexicans 
took possession of a high tower which com- 
manded the Spanish quarters. It was neces- 
sary to dislodge them at any sacrifice. A de- 
tachment of chosen men was three times 
repulsed in its desperate assault. Oortez, aware 
that the safety of the army depended upon the 




The Death of Montezum 



BATTLE OF THE DISMAL NIGHT. 177 

result, ordered a buckler to be bound to his arm, 
as he could not grasp it with his wounded hand, 
and placed himself at the head of the attacking 
column. Animated by his voice and example, 
the Spaniards forced their way up the steps of 
the temple, driving the Mexicans before them. 
Having reached the spacious platform on the 
summit, a terrible strife ensued. Two young 
Mexican nobles resolved to effect the destruc- 
tion of Oortez by the sacrifice of their own lives. 
They seized him, dragged him to the battle- 
ments, and threw themselves over while cling- 
ing to his person, that they might thus dash 
him also upon the pavement beneath. But 
Cortez, by his wonderful strength and agility, 
shook them off, and thus broke from their grasp, 
though they both perished. The victorious 
Spaniards then set fire to the tower. Other 
sorties were made during the day, and the 
wretched city was as the crater of a volcano of 
flame and blood. The energies of both parties 
seemed to redouble with despair. 

At last another night spread its veil over the 
infuriated combatants. In its darkest watches, 
the indomitable Oortez made a sortie at the 
head of a strong band, and set three hundred 
buildings in flames. The lurid fire, crackling 
to the skies, illumined the tranquil lake, and 
gleamed portentously upon the most distant vil- 
lages in the vast mountain-girdled valley. The 



178 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

tumult of the midnight assault, the shrieks of 
the women and children, and the groans of the 
wounded and the dying, blended dismally with 
the roar of the conflagration. 

Cortez now summoned the Mexican chiefs to 
a parley. He stood upon the wall. The beau- 
tiful Marina, as interpreter, stood at his side. 
The native chiefs were upon the ground before 
him. The inflexible Spanish commander en- 
deavored to intimidate his determined foes by 
threats. 

"If you do not immediately submit," said 
he, " I will lay the whole city in ashes, and 
every man, woman, and child shall be put to 
the sword." 

They answered defiantly, 

" The bridges are broken down, and you can- 
not escape. You have better weapons of war 
than we, but we have greater numbers. If we 
offer a thousand lives for one, we will continue 
the battle till you are all destroyed." 

Saying this, they gave a signal, and a storm 
of arrows and javelins pierced the air, and fell 
into the beleaguered fortress. Notwithstand- 
ing the bold tone assumed by Cortez, the Span- 
iards were in great dismay. It was manifest 
to all that their destruction was certain unless 
they could cut their way through the enemy, 
and escape from the city. The extraordinary 
energies of this iron fanatic still remained un= 



BATTLE OF THE DISMAL NIGHT. 179 

shaken. Calmly he reflected upon his posi- 
tion, examined his resources, and formed his 
plans. The Mexicans had barricaded the 
streets, and had broken down the causeways, 
to prevent, if possible, the escape of their foes. 
But there was no longer any alternative for 
Cortez. Destruction was certain unless he 
could effect his escape. He decided to make 
the desperate attempt at midnight. He im- 
mediately constructed moving towers, to be 
pushed through the streets on wheels, at the 
head of his columns, under the protection of 
which his soldiers could force their way, and 
make every bullet accomplish its mission. A 
platform on the top could be let down, afford- 
ing a bridge to the roofs of the houses, thus 
placing the Spaniards on a level with their as- 
sailants. The sides of the towers were amply 
strong to repel darts and arrows. Thus pro- 
tected from all harm, the sharpshooters could 
sweep the streets and the housetops. 

At midnight the retreat was commenced in 
three divisions. Sandoval led the van, Alvara- 
do the rear. Cortez took command of the cen- 
ter, where he placed the distinguished prisoners, 
among whom were a son and daughter of Mon- 
tezuma, and several of the high nobles. He 
also carried with his division the artillery, the 
baggage, and a portable bridge, ingeniously 
constructed of timber, to be laid over the 



180 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

breaches in the causeway. In profound silence 
the army issued from their quarters, and 
marched firmly along through the smoldering 
and gory streets. 

For a little time they advanced unmolested ; 
but the Mexicans were watching their move- 
ments, and were silently making dispositions 
for a tremendous onset. Suddenly the shout 
of an innumerable multitude and the clash of 
arms rose fearfully in the dark night air, and 
from every quarter the natives came rushing 
on, and stones, javelins, darts, and arrows rat- 
tled like hailstones upon helmet and buckler. 
Every inch of the way was now contested. The 
progress of the Spaniards, though slow, was re- 
sistless, the cannon and the musketry sweeping 
down all obstacles. 

At last they arrived at one of the numerous 
canals which everywhere intersected the city. 
The bridge was destroyed, and the deep waters 
flowing from the lake cut oh* all retreat. The 
wooden bridge, prepared for such an emer- 
gence, was thrown across the chasm. The head 
of the Spanish column fought its way over suc- 
cessfully ; but, unfortunately, the weight of 
the artillery and of the dense throng wedged 
the timbers so fast into the stones that all their 
efforts could not again remove them. Their 
peril was growing every moment more immi- 
nent, as the roused natives were thronging to 



BATTLE OF THE DISMAL NIGHT. 181 

every point where the retiring foe conld be as- 
sailed. They were thus compelled to leave the 
bridge behind them. 

Advancing precipitately, the Spaniards soon 
arrived at a second breach. Here they found 
themselves hemmed in on all sides, and they 
had no means of bridging the gap ; but, plant- 
ing their cannon so as to hold the natives at 
bay, every available hand was employed in fill- 
ing the chasm with stones and timbers torn from 
the demolished and smoldering dwellings. 
The labor was difficult and perilous, for they 
were incessantly assailed by the most pelting 
storm of the missiles of destruction. 

For two days this terrific conflict raged. 
Seven breaches in the canals they were com- 
pelled thus to bridge with stones and timbers 
torn from the adjacent streets ; but the Span- 
iards still slowly advanced, triumphing with 
difficulty over every obstacle which the natives 
could interpose. Though they thus sternly 
fought their way along, trampling beneath them 
the mutilated bodies of the dying and of the 
dead, at the close of the second day they found 
their foes more numerous and their situation 
more desperate than ever. 

As the gloom of night again descended, a 
deeper, heavier gloom rested upon all in the 
heart of the Spanish camp. A wailing storm 
arose of wind and rain, and nature mourned 



182 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

and wept as if in sympathy with the woes of 
man. Availing themselves of the darkness and 
of the uproar of the midnight tempest, though 
weary, faint, and bleeding, they urged their 
steps along the war-scathed streets, for a time 
strangely encountering no opposition. But 
when they reached the long causeway, nearly 
two miles in length and but thirty feet wide, by 
which alone they could reach the land, a yell of 
exultation suddenly rose from the black and 
storm-lashed waters of the lake, loud as the 
heaviest thunders. The whole lake, on both 
sides of the causeway, seemed alive with the 
boats of the natives, and the Spaniards were 
immediately assailed by the swarming multi- 
tudes, who, in the fierce and maddened strife, 
set all danger at defiance. 

War never exhibited a more demoniac aspect. 
The natives opposed their advance, crowded 
their rear, and clambered up the sides of the 
causeway, attacking the foe on each flank with 
indescribable fury. Fresh warriors instantly 
rushed into the place where their comrades had 
fallen, and those in the rear of the tumultuous 
mass crowded their companions in the front 
ranks resistlessly upon the compact enemy. 

There were three chasms in the causeway 
broken by the Mexicans which the Spaniards 
were compelled to bridge in the darkness and 
the storm, and while assailed by an innumerable. 



BATTLE OF THE DISMAL NIGHT. 183 

and almost an invisible foe. Imagination can- 
not compass the horrors of that night. Noche 
triste, dismal night, is the name by which it 
has ever since been distinguished. In the 
awful confusion, military skill and discipline 
were of but little avail. The Spaniards could 
with difficulty distinguish friend from foe, and 
ere long they were nearly all quite swept away by 
the torrent rushing so resistlessly upon them. 

Cortez succeeded in keeping about a hundred 
men around him, and, using the bodies of the 
dead to aid him in bridging two chasms, he at 
length reached the main land. The horrid 
clamor still rose from the darkness of the cause- 
way as his companions, left behind, were strug- 
gling in desperation with the multitudes who 
inclosed them. Cortez heroically, with every 
man in his little band still able to fight, marched 
back to their rescue. A few succeeded in break- 
ing through the enemy, and joined him. Mul- 
titudes were struck down or hurled into the 
lake ; but dreadful was the anguish of Cortez 
as he heard, piercing through the clamor, the 
cries for help of his companions who were 
seized by the natives as captives, and who were 
being borne away to be offered in sacrifice to 
their gods. The few who escaped, exhausted 
and bleeding, clung together for the remainder 
of the night near the village of Tacuba, where 
the causeway reached the main land. 



184 HEBKANDO CORTEZ. 

When the first gray of the lurid morning 
dawned, the whole length of the causeway was 
seen covered with the bodies of the slain. The 
chasms were clogged up with fragments of ar- 
tillery, baggage-wagons, dead horses, and the 
corpses of Spaniards and natives. The fea- 
tures of the dead were distorted by all the hate- 
ful passions of the strife. A few only had 
escaped. Nearly all the horses, all the cannon, 
all the plundered treasure, and all the baggage- 
wagons, were either sunk in the lake, or were 
floating in fragments upon its surface. The 
storm had passed away, and the placid waters 
were blackened with the war-canoes of the na- 
tives. Not even a musket remained to the 
Spaniards. Bernal Diaz records that in this 
bloody night eight hundred and seventy of the 
Spaniards perished. More than four thousand 
of their allies were also slain. 

As Cortez gazed upon the feeble band of 
mangled and bleeding soldiers which now alone 
remained to him, even his stern heart was 
moved, and he bowed his head and wept bit- 
terly. We cannot regret that some drops of 
retributive woe were wrung from the heart of 
that guilty conqueror. He had overwhelmed 
a benighted nation with misery. Under the 
divine government, such a crime cannot go un- 
punished, and the penalty must descend either 
in this life or in that which is to come. 



BATTLE OF THE DISMAL NIGHT. 185 

But this was no time to indulge in grief. It 
was necessary immediately to find some shelter 
for the wearied troops. The Mexicans were 
preparing to renew the attack, and the inhabit- 
ants of Tacuba were assembling in arms. At 
a little distance, on a rising ground, Cortez dis- 
covered a large stone temple. He immediately 
took possession of it, and here found not only 
temporary shelter, but, fortunately, provisions 
for his almost famished troops. Here, for a 
day, the Spaniards beat off the foe who inces- 
santly assailed them. 

" And God only knows," says Cortez, " the 
toil and fatigue with which it was accomplished ; 
for of twenty-four horses that remained to us, 
there was not one that could move briskly, nor 
a horseman able to raise his arm, nor a foot- 
soldier unhurt who could make any effort." 

They were now on the western side of the 
lake. It was necessary to pass around the 
northern shore of this vast expanse of water, 
as the country was there thinly populated, and 
they would be consequently less liable to at- 
tack. The road led a distance of nearly a hun- 
dred miles over mountains and through marshes 
to the eastern shore. From there, a march of 
more than sixty-four miles was necessary be- 
fore they could reach the territory of Tlascala, 
which was the first point where they could hope 
for any relief. 



188 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

Under the guidance of a Tlascalan soldier, 
the despairing band commenced its march. 
They advanced the first day and night but nine 
miles, fighting incessantly all the way. For 
six days, with hardly any respite, they con- 
tinued their retreat. Their only food they gath- 
ered as they hurried along, of berries, roots, 
and green corn. They were continually as- 
sailed by the indefatigable foe ; but with their 
few remaining horses, their steel swords, and 
the energies which European civilization con- 
fers, they beat off their assailants and con- 
tinued their flight. As the horses were needed 
to beat off the swarming foe, the sick and 
wounded were compelled to hobble along, as 
they could, on crutches. " Next to God," says 
Cortez, "our greatest security was in our 
horses." One horse was killed. The Span- 
iards eagerly devoured his flesh, " not leav- 
ing," says Cortez, " even his skin, or any other 
part of him, so great were our necessities." 

Cortez, who promptly recovered from his 
momentary weakness, manifested the utmost 
sereneness and imperturbability of spirit, shared 
every hardship of the soldiers, and maintained 
their confidence in him by surpassing all in the 
gallantry and the magnanimity of his courage. 

Exhausted and wounded as they were, it re- 
quired the toilsome journey of a week to reach 
the mountain summits which encircle the great 



BATTLE OF THE DISMAL NIGHT. 187 

yalley of Mexico. As they approached the de- 
files of these mountains, parties of the enemy 
were seen here and there in increasing numbers. 
The natives shouted to them from a distance 
insults, defiance, and threats. Marina, who 
fortunately escaped the massacre of the dismal 
night, remarked that they often, in exultant 
toues, exclaimed, 

" Hurry along, robbers, hurry along ; you 
will soon meet with the vengeance due to your 
crimes. " 

The significance of this threat was soon made 
manifest. As the Spaniards were emerging 
from a narrow pass among the cliffs of the 
mountains, they came suddenly upon an ex- 
tended plain. Here, to their amazement, they 
found an enormous army of the natives filling 
the whole expanse, and apparently cutting off 
all possibility of farther retreat. The sight 
was sufficient to appal the most dauntless heart. 
The whole plain, as far as the eye could ex- 
tend, seemed as a living ocean of armed men, 
with its crested billows of banners, and gleam- 
ing spears, and helmets, and plumes. Even 
the heart of Oortez for a moment sank within 
him as his practised eye told him that there 
were two hundred thousand warriors there in 
battle array, through whose serried ranks he 
must cut his bloody path or perish. To all the 
Spaniards it seemed certain that their last hour 

14-CorUi 



188 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

had now tolled ; but each man resolved to sell 
his life as dearly as possible. 

Cortez immediately assembled his band 
around him, and invigorated them with a forci- 
ble harangue. He assured them that there was 
no possible hope but in the energies of despair ; 
but that, with those energies, they might con- 
fidently expect G-od's blessing, for they were 
his servants, his missionaries, endeavoring to 
overthrow the idols of the heathen, and to in- 
troduce the religion of the cross. In solid 
column, with their long spears bristling in all 
directions, and clad in coats of mail which pro- 
tected a great part of their bodies from both 
arrow and spear, they plunged desperately into 
the dense masses of the enemy. Wherever 
this solid body of iron men directed its course, 
the tumultuous throng of the foe was pierced 
and dashed aside, as the stormy billows of the 
ocean yield to the careering steamer. The 
marvelous incidents of this fight would occupy 
pages. The onset of the Spaniards was so 
fierce that the natives could present no effect- 
ual resistance ; but as the Indians were com- 
pelled to retire from the front of the assailing 
column, they closed up with shouts of venge- 
ance and with redoubled fury upon the flanks 
and the rear. Cortez had heard that the 
superstition of the Mexicans was such that the 
fate of a battle depended upon the imperial 



BATTLE OF THE DISMAL NIGHT. 189 

banner, which was most carefully guarded in 
the center of the army. If that were taken, 
the natives deemed themselves forsaken by 
their gods, and in dismay would break and fly. 
In the distance, for there was no smoke of 
artillery to darken this field of battle, he saw 
this standard proudly waving in the breeze. 
With impetuosity which crushed down all op- 
position, he pushed toward it. The standard- 
bearers were stricken down and pinned to the 
earth with lances. Cortez, with his own hand, 
seized the sacred banner, and as he waved it 
aloft his soldiers raised a simultaneous shout 
of triumph. 

The natives, with cries of rage, grief, and 
despair, in the wildest tumult, broke and fled 
to the mountains. Their gods had abandoned 
them. The victory of the Spaniards was com- 
plete. They record, though doubtless with ex- 
aggeration, for they had no leisure to stop and 
count the slain, that twenty thousand of their 
enemies were left dead upon that bloody field. 
With new alacrity the victors now pressed on, 
and the next day entered the territory of the 
Tlascalans. 

Here they were received with the greatest 
kindness. The enmity of the Tlascalans 
against the Mexicans was so inveterate, and 
their desire to avenge the death of their country- 
men so intense, that they still clung tenaciously 



190 HERNANDO COKfEZ. 

to the Spanish alliance, with the hope that 
new resources might arrive which would enable 
the Spaniards to retrieve their fallen fortunes. 

In the hospitable city of Tlascala Cortez al- 
lowed his shattered battalions that repose which 
was now so indispensable. Nearly all his men 
were suffering severely from sickness, fatigue, 
and wounds. But here the Spanish chieftain 
learned of new disasters which had befallen 
him. A detachment of Spanish soldiers, who 
were marching from Zempoalla to the capital 
as a re-enforcement, had been cut off by the 
natives and entirely destroyed. A small party, 
who had been sent to convey some treasures 
from Tlascala to Vera Cruz, had also been sur- 
prised and destroyed among the mountains. 
When the life of every Spaniard was of so 
much importance, these were, indeed, terrible 
additional calamities. 

The companions of Cortez were now thor- 
oughly disheartened, and were anxious to re- 
turn to Vera Cruz, send a vessel to Cuba for 
some transports, and abandon the enterprise ; 
but the indomitable warrior, though lying 
upon the bed in a raging fever, and while a sur- 
geon was cutting off two of his mutilated and 
inflamed fingers, and raising a portion of the 
bone of his skull, which had been splintered 
by the club of a native, was forming his plans 
to return to Mexico and reconquer what he had 



BATTLE OF THE DISMAL NIGHT. 191 

lost. The resources at his command still ap- 
peared to him sufficient to form a nucleus 
around which to assemble a new army. The 
garrison at Vera Cruz, with its artillery and 
military stores, still remained unimpaired ; the 
Tlascalans and Zempoallans continued firm in 
their alliance ; and he still could assemble, not- 
withstanding his losses, as large a force as ac- 
companied him in his first march into Mexico. 
He therefore resolved to make vigorous and 
prompt preparations to prosecute his enter- 
prise anew. He wrote to his sovereign an ac- 
count of the disasters he had encountered, say- 
ing, "I cannot believe that the good and 
merciful God will thus suffer his cause to per- 
ish among the heathen." 

"With great energy and sagacity he aroused 
himself for this new effort. He made special 
exertions to secure the cordial co-operation of 
the Tlascalan chiefs, by distributing among 
them the rich spoil taken in his last battle. 
He despatched four ships, selected from the 
fleet captured from Narvaez, to Hispaniola and 
Jamaica, to collect recruits and supplies. That 
he might secure the command of the lake, he 
prepared, with the ready aid of the Tlascalans, 
materials for building twelve vessels, to be con- 
veyed in pieces by the men of burden to the 
lake, there to be put together and launched 
upon the waters. 



192 HEBNANDO CORTEZ. 

The companions of Cortez had, however, by 
far too vivid a recollection of the horrors of the 
dismal night to participate in the zeal of their 
commander. Murmurs against the enterprise 
grew louder and louder, until the camp was 
almost in a state of mutiny. They assembled, 
and appointed a delegation to wait upon their 
commander, and remonstrate against another 
attempt, with his broken battalions, to sub- 
jugate so powerful an empire. Respectfully, 
but firmly, they demanded to be taken back to 
Cuba. All the arguments and entreaties of 
Cortez were of no avail to change their minds 
or to allay their anxieties. 

We have before mentioned that a detachment 
of soldiers from Vera Cruz had been cut off by 
the natives. The assailing force was from one 
of the Mexican provinces in the vicinity of 
Tlascala, called Tepeaca. The soldiers, with- 
out much unwillingness, consented to march to 
their region, and chastise them for the deed. 
The enterprise would be attended with but lit- 
tle danger, and promised a large amount of 
booty. It was now the month of August. 
Cortez headed the expedition, and in the foray 
of a few weeks, after an enormous slaughter of 
the Tepeacans, reduced the province to subjec- 
tion, and returned to Tlascala laden with plun- 
der. Another foray was soon undertaken, and 
then another. Thus, for five months, while he 




Cortex, /ace p. 



The Slaughter of the Tepeacans. 



BATTLE OF THE DISMAL NIGHT. 193 

was collecting recruits and accumulating sup- 
plies, he adroitly kept his men employed in va- 
rious military expeditions till they again be- 
came accustomed to victory, and were ready to 
enter upon a wider field of glory, which should 
open before them more brilliant prospects for 
wealth. Fortune, it is said, helps those who 
help themselves. This inflexibility of purpose 
and untiring energy on the part on Oortez, was 
accompanied by what is usually termed the 
gifts of peculiarly good fortune. 

The Governor of Cuba, unaware of the disas- 
ter which had befallen Narvaez, sent two ships 
after him with a supply of men and military 
stores. These vessels were decoyed into the 
harbor of Vera Cruz, the stores seized, and the 
men were easily induced to enter into the serv- 
ice of Oortez. 

The Governor of Jamaica fitted out an expe- 
dition of three ships to prosecute an expedition 
of discovery and conquest. They were very 
unfortunate, and, after many disasters, these 
ships, their crews being almost in a famishing 
state, cast anchor at Vera Cruz. They listened 
eagerly to the brilliant prospects which Cortez 
held out to them, and enlisted under his ban- 
ner. At the same time, it also happened that 
a ship arrived from Spain, fitted out by some 
private merchants with military stores, and 
other articles for traffic among the natives. 



194 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

Oortez immediately purchased the cargo, and 
induced the crew to follow the example of the 
others, and join his army. At last, the agents 
he sent to Hispaniola and Jamaica returned, 
with two hundred soldiers, eighty horses, two 
battering-cannon, and a considerable supply of 
ammunition and muskets. Cortez had in these 
various ways now collected about him eight 
hundred and eighteen foot-soldiers, eighty-six 
horsemen, three battering-cannon, and fifteen 
field-pieces. 

He established his head quarters at Tepeaca, 
on a small river which ran into the lake. The 
iron, the planks, the timber, the masts, the 
cordage, and the materials necessary to con- 
struct and equip a fleet of thirteen brigantines, 
were to be carried a distance of sixty miles 
over rough roads, on the shoulders of men. 
Eight thousand men of our den were furnished 
by the Tlascalans for this work. Tepeaca was 
two miles from the shore of the lake, and the 
rivulet upon which it was situated was shallow. 
A large number of natives were employed for 
two months in deepening the channel, that the 
vessels might be floated down. Though the 
Mexicans made many attacks while the brigan- 
tines were being built, they were invariably 
repulsed. At length the fleet was finished, 
and the whole army was drawn up to witness, 
with all the accompaniments of religious and 



BATTLE OF THE DISMAL NIGHT. 195 

military pomp, the launching of the ships. 
Each vessel received a baptismal name and a 
blessing from Father Olmedo. They glided 
smoothly down the river, and were wafted out 
upon the lake ; a fleet amply strong to set all the 
power of the Mexicans at defiance. A general 
shout of joy burst from the lips of the Spaniards 
and Tlascalans as they observed the triumphant 
success of this measure. All despondency 
now disappeared, and, sanguine of success, the 
whole army was eager again to march to the 
assault of the capital. 




SandovaL 





^WW/^/tr^ ■ 1*1 m 


&sRsB§y//ll °* 


^pTm^ O— _^ ,^=s 







CHAPTEE IX. 

THE CAPITAL BESIEGED AND CAPTURED. 

While Coretz was thus vigorously preparing 
to renew the assault upon the city of Mexico, 
the Mexicans were no less busy in their 
preparations for defense. Upon the death of 
Montezuma, the crown passed to his more 
warlike brother Cuitlahua. By his energies the 
Spaniards had been driven from the metropolis, 
and he immediately, with great vigor, fortified 
the city anew, and recruited and drilled his 
armies, now familiar with the weapons of Eu- 
ropean warfare. He sent an embassy to the 
Thascalans, urging alliance against a common 
foe, and endeavoring to incite them to rise and 
crush the Spaniards, who, without their alli- 
ance, would have been entirely helpless. The 
sagacity of Cortez, however, baffled these efforts 
and he succeeded in binding the Tlascalans to 
him by still stronger ties. 

Among other woes, the Spaniards had intro- 
duced the smallpox into Mexico. The terri- 
ble curse now swept like a blast of destruction 
196 



THE CAPITAL CAPTURED. 197 

through the land. The natives perished by 
thousands. Many cities and villages were almost 
depopulated. The fearful pestilence reached 
the Mexican capital, and the emperor, Cuitlahua, 
soon fell a victim to its ravages. 

Guatemozin, the son-in-law of Montezuma, 
was then, by the unanimous acclaim of his coun- 
trymen, placed upon the throne. He was a 
young man of high reputation for ability and 
force of character, and proved himself the wor- 
thy leader of his nation in this dreadful crisis 
of its fate. Guatemozin assembled all his forces 
in the capital, as the strongest point upon which 
they could stand upon their defense. 

Cortez decided to make the assault by three 
divisions of the army, each marching over one 
of the causeways. Sandoval was to command 
on the north, Alvarado on the west, and Olid on 
the south. Cortez reserved to himself the com- 
mand of the brigantines, which were to sweep 
the lakes, and drive the war-canoes of the 
natives from the causeways. Each brigantine 
was manned with twenty-five Spaniards, and 
armed with a cannon, whose shot would make 
fearful havoc among the frail and crowded 
canoes of the Mexicans. 

Guatemozin immediately foresaw how much 
he had to dread from this fleet, and decided 
that, at every hazard, he must attempt its de- 
struction. He accordingly assembled an enor- 



198 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

mous mass of canoes, hoping by numbers to 
overpower the enemy. The day was calm ; not 
a ripple disturbed the glassy surface of the 
water, when a fleet of canoes, in numbers which 
could not be counted, pushed out boldly into 
the lake to assail the brigan tines lying at 
anchor. 

But just then, to the great joy of the Span- 
iards and to the dismay of the Mexicans, a fresh 
and favorable breeze arose, which would drive 
the brigantines resistlessly through the swarm 
of fragile boats which were approaching them. 
The sails were instantly spread, the cannon 
were loaded almost to the muzzle, and the work 
of death began. The heavy vessels crushed the 
canoes, overturned them, drove them one upon 
another in indescribable confusion, while the 
merciless shot pierced bones, and nerves, and 
sinews, and the surface of the lake was covered 
with the mutilated bodies of the dying and of 
the dead. The water was red with blood, and 
in a short time the fleet was destroyed ; but 
few of the boats escaped. The Mexicans, from 
their house-tops, gazed with dismay upon this 
awful scene of carnage, and were oppressed with 
fearful forebodings that no degree of courage 
and no superiority of numbers could avail them 
against the terrible engines of destruction which 
European skill had framed. 

Cortes was now completely master of the 



THE CAPITAL CAPTtTKED. 199 

lake. He formed his brigantines into three 
divisions, to cover the assailants on the three 
causeways and to protect them from any at- 
tack by canoes. He thus also preserved com- 
munication, prompt and effective, between the 
different divisions of his army. The military 
skill displayed by Cortez in all these arrange- 
ments is of the highest kind. The conquest of 
Mexico was not achieved by accident, but by 
sagacity, persevering energy, and patient toil 
almost unparalleled. 

The siege was now prosecuted with the most 
determined vigor. The approaches were made 
along the three causeways. The natives had 
broken down the bridges and reared a succes- 
sion of formidable barricades, and as they were 
driven from one by the irresistible force of 
artillery, they retired with firmness worthy of 
admiration, to the next, there to maintain their 
post to the last possible moment. The brigan- 
tines approached the sides of the causeways and 
opened a destructive fire upon the valiant de- 
fenders, where the Spaniards were exposed to 
no danger in return. Thus for nearly three 
months, by day and by night, on the land and 
on the water, the bloody strife was continued. 

Cortez was astonished at the obstinacy and 
efficiency of the resistance effected by the be- 
sieged. Gradually, however, the besiegers ad- 
vanced, carefully filling up behind them the 



200 HERNANDO C0RTE2. 

gaps in the causeway, that they might easily, 
if necessary, effect a retreat. They were taught 
the necessity of this precaution by a terrible 
repulse which they at one time encountered. 
G-uatemozin, with a quick military eye, perceiv- 
ing that the causeway occupied by one of the 
divisions of the Spaniards was impassable be- 
hind the Spaniards from trenches unfilled, and 
broken bridges, and the ruins of barricades, or- 
dered the Mexican troops to retire, to lure the 
Spaniards forward. He then collected an enor- 
mous force, despatching some in canoes along 
shallows which the brigantines could not ap- 
proach, and then, at a signal from the great 
alarm drum on the summit of the temple, whose 
doleful tones could be heard for miles, the whole 
mass, with frantic rage, stimulated by hope, 
rushed upon the foe. The sudden assault, so 
impetuous, and sustained by such vast num- 
bers, was quite successful. The Spaniards 
were driven back in confusion, horsemen and 
infantry crowding upon each other, till multi- 
tudes were forced, pell-mell, horses, and can- 
non, and men, into the chasm. Here the na- 
tives, in their light canoes, fell furiously upon 
them. More than twenty Spaniards were killed 
outright, and forty, mangled and bleeding, 
fell alive into the hands of the victors. There 
was no possible escape for the captives from their 
doom. They were to be sacrificed to the gods. 



THE CAPITAL CAPTtJttED. 201 

This was an awful reverse, and the Spaniards 
were horror-stricken in contemplating the fate 
of their captured comrades. The capital was 
that night illuminated with great brilliance, and 
the splendor of the great pyramidal temple, 
blazing with innumerable torches, gleamed far 
and wide over the lake. It was an awful spec- 
tacle to the Spaniards, for they well knew the 
scenes which were transpiring on that lofty al- 
tar of idolatry. The preparations for the sac- 
rifice could be distinctly seen, and the move- 
ments of the sacrificial priests. The white 
bodies of the victims could also be clearly dis- 
cerned as they were stripped naked for the tor- 
ture and the knife ; and when the awful torture 
was applied, the shrieks of the wretched suffer- 
ers pierced the still night air, and penetrated 
the camp of the Spaniards. They listened ap- 
palled to those cries of agony, imagining that 
they could distinguish each victim by the sound 
of his voice. 

This awful scene is thus described by Diaz : 
" On a sudden, our ears were, struck by the hor- 
rific sound of the great drum, the timbrels, 
horns, and trumpets on the temple. We all 
directed our eyes thither, and, shocking tore- 
late, saw our unfortunate countrymen driven by 
blows to the place where they were to be sac- 
rificed, which bloody ceremony was accompa- 
nied by the dismal sound of all the instruments 

15— Corter JJ 



202 HEBNAKDO CORTEZ. 

of the temple. We perceived that when they 
had brought the wretched victims to the flat 
summit of the body of the temple, they put 
plumes upon their heads, and made them dance 
before their accursed idols. When they had 
done this, they laid them upon their backs on 
the stone used for the purpose, where they cut 
out their hearts alive, and having presented 
them, yet palpitating, to their gods, they drew 
the bodies down the steps by the feet, where 
they were taken by others of their priests. Let 
the reader think what were our sensations on 
this occasion. heavenly God ! said we to 
ourselves, do not suffer us to be sacrificed by 
these wretches. Do not suffer us to die so cruel 
a death. And then, how shocking a reflection 
that we were unable to relieve our poor 
friends, who were thus murdered before our 
eyes." 

This victory elated the Mexicans exceedingly. 
They cut off the heads of the sacrificed Span- 
iards, and sent them to the adjacent provinces, 
to prove that their gods, now appeased by this 
signal offering of blood, had abandoned the 
enemy. The priests sent the assurance far and 
wide that victory was now certain, as the ora- 
cles had returned the response that in eight 
days the detested enemy should be entirely de- 
troyed. This prediction exerted a great influ- 
ence upon a superstitious people. Many of the 



THE CAPITAL CAPTURED. 203 

natives who had joined Cortez deserted his 
cause, and even the Tlascalans began to waver. 
The prudence and shrewdness of Cortez again 
met the danger and averted it. For eight days 
he made no advance, but merely stood on the 
defensive. The predicted time having expired, 
he said, "You see that the gods have deceived 
the Mexicans. They have espoused our cause." 

The fickle people immediately returned to 
their stations, and others joined them, so that 
Cortez, according to his own account, now found 
himself at the head of one hundred and fifty 
thousand Indians. Gomara and Herrera as- 
sert that there were not less than two hundred 
thousand. The number of defenders in the 
Mexican capital cannot with accuracy be ascer- 
tained. It is estimated, however, from various 
considerations, that there must have been at 
least two hundred thousand. 

The Spaniards, in this sanguinary and pro- 
tracted siege, often suffered severely for want 
of food. With apparent reluctance, the histo- 
rians of the expedition record that their Indian 
auxiliaries found quite an abundant supply for 
themselves in the bodies of their enemies. Some 
of them were rather ashamed to acknowledge 
that their auxiliaries were inveterate cannibals. 
Cortez, however, alludes to their horrible re- 
pasts quite in a tone of indifference. 

With greater caution the Spaniards now ad- 



204 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

vanced, fortifying every point they gained, and 
preparing a smooth and unobstructed road in 
their rear. Their progress was exceedingly 
slow, and it was necessary to adopt every pos- 
sible precaution against an enemy who had 
manifested such unexpected audacity and skill. 
As the Spaniards pushed forward, the Mexi- 
cans, contesting every inch of the way, sullenly 
retired, rearing barricade after barricade, and 
digging ditch behind ditch. But artillery and 
European science were sure, in the end, to 
triumph. Gradually the three divisions of the 
army forced their way across the causeways, 
and entered the street of the city. But here 
the defense was, if joossible, still more de- 
termined and sanguinary. Every street was a 
guarded defile, where every obstacle was inter- 
posed which Mexican military skill could devise. 
Every house was a fortress, from whose battle- 
mented roof and loop-hold windows a shower of 
stones, arrows, and javelins fell upon the be- 
siegers. As the Spaniards gained ground, 
step by step, they leveled every house, and left 
entire ruin and desolation behind them. 

Day after day and week after week of 
this unparalleled siege lingered along, every 
hour of which almost was a battle. The 
Mexicans fell in incredible numbers. The 
horrors of pastilence and famine in the pent- 
up city were soon added to the awful carnage 




Cortez,facep. 20A 

Cortez Saved by his Strength. (Seep, m) 



THE CAPITAL CAPTUKED. 205 

and misery of war. The brigantines swept the 
lake, cutting off nearly all supplies by water 
for the valiant yet starving defenders, while 
the armies on the causeways completely invested 
the city by land. Wan and haggard, these un- 
happy victims of European aggression, even 
when all hope of successful resistance had ex- 
pired, heroically resolved to perish to the last 
man, and to bury themselves beneath the ruins 
of their city. 

Even the heart of Oortez was touched with 
the almost unearthly misery he was inflicting 
upon an unoffending people. Again and again 
he sent to G-uatemozin demanding capitulation ; 
but the proud Mexican monarch rejected every 
overture with indignation and scorn. At length 
the three divisions of the army, from their three 
different points of attack, penetrated the city 
so far as to meet at the great public square. 
The whole western portion of the city was now 
in the power of the besiegers. The starving 
and dying defenders were shut up in a small 
section of less than one fourth of the capital. 

The Spaniards, now sure of success, pressed 
the siege with new ardor. Their forces had 
met, and were combined in the great square. 
The avenues connecting with the country were 
all open before them, so that they could freely 
go and come. The lake was swept by the brig- 
antines, and, though a swift canoe could ocQa- 



206 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

sionally shoot along the shore, the natives could 
not venture, in the face of such a force, to cross 
the wide expanse of water. Affairs in the Mex- 
ican camp were now in the very darkest state 
of misery and gloom. 

The Mexicans regarded their monarchs with 
superstitious veneration . Upon his life all their 
destinies were suspended. His voice was om- 
nipotent with the people. After long deliber- 
ation, the desperate resolve was adopted to send 
Guatemozin in a canoe across the broad waters 
of the lake, which like an ocean swept around 
the city, to the eastern shore. But Oortez, ever 
on the alert, anticipated this movement, and or- 
dered the brigantines to maintain the most vig- 
ilant watch. The Mexicans, to deceive Oortez, 
sent an embassy to him to confer upon terms 
of capitulation. They hoped thus to engage his 
attention so that Guatemozin could escape un- 
perceived, and, having roused all the distant 
provinces, who would spring to arms at his 
voice, could make an assault upon the rear of 
the foe. 

Sandoval was now placed in command of the 
brigantines. He observed one morning sev- 
eral canoes, crowded with people and plied by 
strong rowers, shoot from the city, and direct 
their course across the lake toward the eastern 
shore. The signal was instantly given for pur- 
suit, "Unfortunately for the Mexicans, a favor* 



THE CAPITAL CAPTURED. 207 

able breeze sprang rip, and one of the brigan- 
tines soon drew near the largest boat. The can- 
non was loaded, and heavily shotted and aimed. 
The gunner stood ready with his lighted torch. 
In another moment the fatal discharge would 
have strewed the lake with the fragments of the 
boat and the mangled bodies of the slain. The 
Mexicans, regardless of their own lives, but in- 
tensely anxious for the safety of their sovereign, 
dropped their oars, and holding up their hands 
beseechingly, with cries and tears, besought the 
Spaniards not to fire, exclaiming that the em- 
peror was there. 

Eagerly the precious prize was seized. The 
heroic Guatemozin with dignity surrendered 
himself into the hands of his victors, asking no 
favor for himself, but simply requesting that no 
insult might be offered to the empress or his 
children, who were in the boat with him. With 
much exultation, the captive monarch, who was 
but twenty-four years of age, was conveyed to 
the shore, and conducted into the presence of 
Cortez. Guatemozin retained his fortitude un- 
shaken. Looking firmly upon his conqueror, 
he said, loftily, 

" I have done what became a monarch. I 
have defended my people to the last extremity. 
Nothing now remains for me but to die. Take 
this dagger," he continued, placing his hand 
upon the one which Cortez wore at his side, 



208 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

"and plunge it into my bosom, and thus end a 
life which is henceforth useless." 

Cortez well knew how to act the part of mag- 
nanimity. He was by instinct a man of prince- 
ly manners. Castilian grace and dignity ever 
shone pre-eminent in his movements. He en- 
deavored to console his vanquished foe, whose y 
bold defense commanded his respect. \/ 

" You are not my captive," said he, " but the 
prisoner of the greatest monarch of Europe. 
From his great clemency, you may hope not 
only that you may be restored to liberty, but 
that you may again be placed upon the throne 
which you have so valiantly defended." 

Guatemozin had no confidence in the word 
of Cortez. He knew well the perfidy and the 
treachery which had marked every step of the 
invader's march thus far. Proudly disdaining 
to manifest any concern for his own fate, he 
plead only that Cortez would be merciful to his 
suffering people. The conqueror promised com- 
passion if G-uatemozin would command their 
instant surrender. This was promptly done, 
and the command was instantly obeyed. The 
Mexicans lost all heart as soon as they learned 
that their monarch was a prisoner. Cortez im- 
mediately took possession of the small portion 
of the city which still remained undestroyed. 

Thus terminated this memorable siege, one 
of the most remarkable which has been record- 



THE CAPITAL CAPTURED. 209 

ed in the horrid annals of war. It had contin- 
ued for seventy-five days of almost incessant 
conflict. Almost every hour the fiercest battle 
raged, as step by step the assailants, with the 
utmost effort and difficulty, crowded back the 
valiant defenders. No less than one hundred 
and fifty thousand Mexicans perished in this 
awful and atrocious siege. The Spaniards, who 
wished to make their loss appear as small as 
possible, admit that one hundred of the Span- 
ish soldiers fell, and many thousands of their 
allies. • Ix" 

Nearly the whole capital was now but a mass 
of blackened and smoldering ruins. Its nu- 
merous squares, streets, and courts, but recent- 
ly so beautiful in their neat order, and their em- 
bellishments of shrubbery and flowers, were 
now clotted with blood and covered with the 
mangled bodies of the slain. The sight was 
hideous even to those accustomed to all the re- 
volting scenes which demoniac war ever brings 
in its train. 

The ground was covered with the dead. 
Among the putrefying heaps some wretches 
were seen, wounded, bleeding, and crawling 
about in advanced stages of those loathsome 
diseases produced by famine and misery. 

The air was so polluted with the masses of 
the dead, decaying beneath the rays of a trop- 
ical sun, that Cortez was compelled to with- 



210 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

draw his army from the city that the dead 
might be removed and the streets purified. 
For three days and three nights the causeways 
were thronged by endless processions of the 
natives bearing the moldering corpses from 
the city. But the Spaniards were insensible to 
the woes which they had inflicted upon others in 
their exultation over their great victory. They 
had conquered the enemy. The. capital was in 
their hands, and they had now but to collect 
the boundless treasures which they supposed 
were accumulated in the halls of Montezuma. 
It was on Tuesday, the 13th of August, 1521, 
that the conflict ceased. The mighty empire 
of Mexico on that day perished, and there re- 
mained in its stead but a colony of Spain. 

On the very day of the capture Cortez searched 
every spot where treasure could be found, and 
having collected everything of value, returned 
to his camp, " giving thanks, " he says, " to 
our Lord for so signal a reward and so desir- 
able a victory as he has granted us." He con- 
tinued for three or four days searching eagerly 
for spoils, amid all the scenes of horror pre- 
sented by the devastated city. All the gold 
and silver which were found were melted down, 
and one fifth was set apart for the King of 
Spain, while the rest was divided among the 
Spaniards according to their rank and serv- 
ices, 



THE CAPITAL CAPTUKED. 211 

<c Among the spoils obtained in the city," 
says Cortez, in his despatch to Charles V., 
et were many shields of gold, plumes, panaches, 
and other articles of so wonderful a .character, 
that language will not convey an idea of them, 
nor could a correct conception be formed of their 
rare excellence without seeing them." 

Still the booty which was gained fell far 
short of the expectation of the victors. The 
heroic Guatemozin, when the hope of success- 
ful defense had expired, determined that the 
conquerors should not be enriched by the treas- 
ures of the empire. A vast amount was conse- 
quently sent out in boats, and sunk to the bot- 
tom of the lake. For a short time, however, 
exultation in view of their great victory caused 
both the commander and his soldiers to forget 
their disappointment ; love of glory for a mo- 
ment triumphed over avarice. 

The native allies had been but tools in the 
hand of Cortez to subjugate the Mexicans. 
The deluded natives had thus also subjugated 
themselves. They were now powerless, and the 
bond-servants of the Spaniards. Cortez allowed 
them to sack the few remaining dwellings of 
the smoldering capital, and to load themselves 
with such articles as might seem valuable to 
semi-barbarian eyes, but which would have no 
cash value in Spain. With this share of the 
plunder they were satisfied, and their camp 



212 HERNANDO COfcfE^. 

resounded with revelry as those fierce warriors, 
with songs and dances, exulted over the down- 
fall of their ancient foes. Cortez thanked them 
for their assistance, praised them for their 
valor, and told them that they might now go 
home. They went home, soon to find that it 
was to them home no more. The stranger 
possessed their country, and they and their 
children were his slaves. 

In the Spanish camp the victory was honored 
by a double celebration. The first was purely 
worldly, and religion was held entirely in abey- 
ance. Bonfires blazed. Deep into the night 
the drunken revelry resounded over the lake, 
until Father Olmedo remonstrated against such 
godless wassail. 

The next day was appropriated to the religious 
celebration. The whole army was formed into 
a procession. The image of the peaceful Vir- 
gin was decorated with tattered, blackened, 
and bloodstained banners, beneath which the 
Christians had so successfully struggled against 
the heathen. With hymns and chants, and in 
the repetition of creeds and prayers, this piratic 
band of fanatics, crimson with the blood of the 
innocent, moved to an appointed sanctuary, 
where Father Olmedo preached an impressive 
sermon, and solemnized the ordinance of the 
mass. The sacrament was administered to 
Cortez and his captains, and, with the imposing 



THE CAPITAL CAPTURED. 213 

accompaniments of martial music and pealing 
artillery, thanksgivings were offered to God. 

Bernal Diaz gives the following quaint and 
graphic account of these festivities : " After 
having returned thanks to God, Cortez deter- 
mined to celebrate his success by a festival in 
Cuyoacan. A vessel had arrived at Villa Rica 
with a cargo of wine, and hogs had been pro- 
vided from the island of Cuba. To this en- 
tertainment he invited all the officers of his 
army, and also the soldiers of estimation. All 
things being prepared, on the day appointed 
we waited on our general. 

" When we came to sit down to dinner, there 
were not tables for one half of us. This brought 
on great confusion among the company, and, 
indeed, for many reasons, it would have been 
much better let alone. The plant of Noah 
was the cause of many fooleries and worse 
things. It made some leap over the tables 
who afterward could not go out at the doors, 
and many rolled down the steps. The private 
soldiers swore they would buy horses with 
golden harness. The cross-bow-men would use 
none but golden arrows. All were to have 
their fortunes made. 

" When the tables were taken away, the sol- 
diers danced in their armor with the ladies, as 
many of them as there were, but the dispropor- 
tion in numbers was very great. This scene 



214 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

was truly ridiculous. I will not mention the 
names ; suffice it to say, a fair field was open 
for satire. Father Olmedo thought what he 
observed at the feast and in the dances too 
scandalous, and complained to Sandoval. The 
latter directly told Cortez how the reverend 
father was scolding and grumbling. 

" Cortez, discreet in all his actions, immedi- 
ately went to Father Olmedo, and, affecting to 
disapprove of the whole affair, requested that 
he would order a solemn mass and thanksgiv- 
ing, and preach a sermon to the soldiers of the 
moral and religious duties. Father Olmedo 
was highly pleased at this, thinking it had orig- 
inated spontaneously from Cortez, and not 
knowing that the hint had been given him by 
Sandoval. Accordingly, the crucifixes and the 
image of Our Lady were borne in solemn pro- 
cession, with drums and standards. The Litany 
was sung during the ceremony. Father Olmedo 
preached and administered the sacrament, and 
we returned thanks to God for our victory." 

But now came the hour for discontent and 
murmuring. The excitement was over, the 
din of arms was hushed, the beautiful city was 
entirely destroyed, and two hundred thousand 
of the wretched inhabitants, whose only crime 
against the Spaniards was that they defended 
their wives, their children, and their homes, 
were festering in the grave. In counting up 



THE CAPITAL CAPTURED. 215 

their gains, these guilty men found that the 
whole sum amounted to but about one hundred 
and twenty thousand dollars. Their grievous 
disappointment vented itself in loud complain- 
ings, and was soon turned into rage. They 
accused Guatemozin of having secreted the 
treasure which had been hoarded up, and de-' 
manded that he should be put to the torture to 
compel him to disclose the place of conceal- 
ment. Cortez, for a time, firmly refused to 
yield to this atrocious demand ; but the clamor 
of the disaffected grew louder and louder, until 
at last Cortez was accused of being in agree- 
ment with Guatemozin, that he might appro- 
priate to his own use the secreted treasure. 

Thus goaded, Cortez infamously consented 
that the unhappy captive monarch should be 
put to the torture. The cacique of Tacuba, 
the companion of Guatemozin, and his highest 
officer, was put to the torture with him. A hot 
fire was kindled, and the feet of the wretched 
victims, drenched in oil, were exposed to the 
burning coals. Guatemozin had nothing to re- 
veal. He could merely assert that the treas- 
ures of the city were thrown into the lake. 
With extraordinary fortitude he endured the 
agony, adding additional luster to a name al- 
ready ennobled by the heroism with which he 
conducted the defense. His companion died 
upon this bed of agony. In the extremity of 

16— Cortes 



216 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

his torment, he turned an imploring eye toward 
the king. Guatemozin, it is recorded, observ- 
ing his look, replied, " Am I, then, reposing 
upon a bed of flowers ?" Cortez, who had re- 
luctantly yielded to this atrocity, at last inter- 
posed, and rescued the imperial sufferer. Cor- 
tez has much to answer for before the bar of 
this world's judgment. For many of his crim- 
inal acts some apology may be framed, but for 
the torture of Guatemozin he stands condemned 
without excuse. No voice will plead his cause. 
Cortez seemed to be fully aware that it was not 
a creditable story for him to tell, and in his 
despatches to the King of Spain he made no 
allusion to the event. 

It was a grievous disappointment to Cortez 
that so little treasure was obtained, for his am- 
bition was roused to send immense sums to the 
Spanisn court, that he might purchase high 
favor with his monarch by thus proving the 
wealth and grandeur of the kingdom he had 
subjugated. Cortez himself accompanied a 
party of practised divers upon the lake, and 
long and anxiously conducted the search ; but 
the divers invariably returned from the oozy 
bottom of the lake empty-handed : no treasure 
could be found. 

It has before been mentioned that the em- 
pire of Mexico consisted of a conglomeration 
gf once independent nations, which had been. 




Cortex, face p. 216 



Guatemozin put to the Torture, 



THE CAPITAL CAPTURED. 217 

in various ways annexed to the mammoth em- 
pire. It was somewhat like Austria, having 
many Hungarys and Polands ripe for revolt. 
Cortez had adroitly availed himself of these dis- 
affection in accomplishing his wonderful con- 
quest. The Zempoallans and Tlascalans aug- 
mented his ranks with fierce warriors nearly 
two hundred thousand in number. There were 
many provinces of the empire on the north and 
the west which as yet no European foot had 
ever entered. It was a question whether these 
remote provinces would band together in hos- 
tility to the Spaniards, and thus indefinitely 
protract the conflict, or whether, seeing the 
capital in ruins and their monarch a captive, 
they would admit the hopelessness of the strife, 
and yield to their conquerors. 

Far and wide, through the valleys and over 
the mountains, the tidings of the annihilation 
of the Mexican army was borne by the Indian 
runners, awakening consternation everywhere 
in view of the resistless power of the victors. 
Some, however, who were restive under the 
Mexican yoke, were not unwilling to exchange 
masters. To the great relief and joy of Cortez, 
day after day, envoys flocked to his presence 
from powerful nations to proffer allegiance and 
implore clemency. Cortez received them all 
with great courtesy and hospitality, and took 
not a little pleasure in witnessing the amazes 



218 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

ment with which, these ambassadors contem- 
plated the power, to them supernatural, which 
the Spaniards wielded. The brigan tines spread 
their sails and plowed their way, with speed 
which no canoe could equal, over the foamy 
waters of the lake. The cavalry wheeled and 
charged in all those prompt and orderly evolu- 
tions to which the war-horse can be trained. 
And when the heavy artillery uttered its roar, 
and shivered the distant rock with its thunder- 
bolt, the envoys, amazed, bewildered, and ap- 
palled, were prepared to make any concessions 
rather than incur the displeasure of such fear- 
ful foes. 

The power of Cortez was now unquestioned, 
and Mexico was in the dust before him. Still, 
the conqueror was in great perplexity respect- 
ing the light in which his conduct was viewed 
in the court of his stern monarch, Charles V. 
While engaged in the slaughter of two or three 
hundred thousand people, while overrunning 
nations and establishing new governments, he 
was acting not only without authority from his 
government, but in direct opposition to its 
commands. Velasquez, the governor of Cuba, 
was invested with authority by the voice of the 
emperor, and yet Cortez had set his power at 
defiance. By the command of the emperor, 
expeditions had been fitted out to prosecute dis- 
coveries and to acquire dominion in Mexico, 



THE CAPITAL CAPTUBED. 219 

and yet Cortez had audaciously made war upon 
these bands marching under the banner of 
Spain. He had slain many, taken the rest 
prisoners, and constrained them, by bribes and 
menaces, to join his marauding army. Cortez 
well knew that this was treason, and that he 
was liable to answer for it with his life. He 
well knew that Velasquez, mortified and exas- 
perated, had made bitter complaints against 
him at court, and that there was no one there 
effectually to plead his cause. 

Under these circumstances, Cortez awaited 
with much solicitude the next arrival from 
Spain. In the mean time, he made every pos- 
sible effort to transmit gold and silver to the 
Spanish monarch, and with untiring zeal 
urged his discoveries, that he might ennoble 
himself and win the gratitude of his sovereign 
by adding to the wealth, the dominion, and the 
fame of his native kingdom. Wishing to as- 
sume that he was acting humbly as the servant 
of his king, he sent him, in the form of de- 
spatches, a minute account of all his move- 
ments. 

As a specimen of these despatches, the reader 
will peruse with interest the following account 
of the last two days of the siege. This despatch 
is dated from the City of Cuyoacan (Mexico), 
May I5tk, 1522. This city was on the main 
land, at the end of one of the causeways which 



220 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

led to the island capital. The letter is thus 
humbly addressed : 

" Most high and potent Prince ; most cath- 
olic and invincible Emperor, King, and Lord." 

This narrative of the siege is so minute as to 
occupy one hundred and fifty closely-printed 
octavo pages, aud gives a circumstantial ac- 
count of the proceedings of each day. The 
closing paragraphs only are here extracted. 
The narrative which Cortez gives sometimes 
differs, in unimportant particulars, from that 
recorded by other historians of the campaign, 
who were eyewitnesses of the scenes which they 
described. 

i( As soon as it was day, I caused our whole 
force to be in readiness, and the heavy guns to 
be brought out. The day before, I had order- 
ed Pedro de Alvarado to wait for me in the 
square of the market-place, and not to attack 
the enemy until I arrived. Being all assem- 
bled, and the brigantines drawn up ready for 
action on the right of the houses situated on 
the water, where the enemy were stationed, I 
directed that when they heard the discharge of 
a musket, the land force should enter the small 
part of the city that remained to be taken, and 
drive the enemy toward the water, where the 
brigantines lay, I enjoined much upon them 
to look for Guatemozin, and endeavor to take 
him alive, as in that case the war would cease. 






THE CAPITAL CAPTURED. Ml 

I then ascended a terrace, and, before the com- 
bat began, addressed some of the nobles whom 
I knew, asking them for what reason their sov- 
ereign refused to come to me when they were 
reduced to such extremities, adding that there 
was no good cause why they should all perish, 
and that they should go and call him, and have 
no fears. 

" Two of the principal nobles then went to 
call the emperor. After a short time they re- 
turned, accompanied by one of the most consid- 
erable of their personages, Ciquacoacin, a cap- 
tain and governor over them all, by whose coun- 
sels the whole affairs of the war were conduct- 
ed. I received him with great kindness, that 
he might feel perfectly secure and free from ap- 
prehensions. At last he said that ' the emperor 
would by no means come into my presence, 
preferring rather to die ; that his determination 
grieved him much, but that I must do whatever 
I desired/ When I saw that this was his 
settled purpose, I told the noble messenger to 
return to his friends, and prepare for the re- 
newal of the war, which I was resolved to con- 
tinue until their destruction was complete. 
So he departed. 

" More than five hours had been spent in 
these conferences, during which time many of 
the inhabitants were crowded together upon 
piles of the dead ; some were on the water, and, 



222 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

others were seen swimming about or drowning 
in the part of the lake where the canoes were 
lying, which was of considerable extent. In- 
deed, so excessive were the sufferings of the 
people, that no one could imagine how they 
were able to sustain them ; and an immense 
multitude of men, women, and children were 
compelled to seek refuge with us, many of 
whom, in their eagerness to reach us, threw 
themselves into the water, and were drowned 
among the mass of dead bodies. It appeared 
that the number of persons who had perished, 
either from drinking salt water, from famine 
or pestilence, amounted altogether to more 
than fifty thousand souls. 

" In order to conceal their necessitous con- 
dition from our knowledge, the bodies of the 
dead were not thrown into the water, lest the 
brigantines should come in contact with them, 
nor were they taken away from the places 
where they had died, lest we should see them 
about the city ; but in those streets where they 
had perished we found heaps of dead bodies so 
frequent, that a person passing could not avoid 
stepping upon them ; and when the people of 
the city, flocked toward us, I caused Spaniards 
to be stationed through all the streets to pre- 
vent our allies from destroying the wretched 
persons who came out in such multitudes. I also 
charged the captains of our allies to forbid, by 



TfiE CAPITAL CAPTtTKED. 223 

all means in their power, the slaughter of these 
fugitives ; yet all my precautions were insuffi- 
cient to prevent it, and that day more than fif- 
teen thousand lost their lives. At the same 
time, the better classes and the warriors of the 
city were pent up within narrow limits, con- 
fined to a few terraces and houses, or sought 
refuge on the water ; but no concealment pre- 
vented our seeing their miserable condition 
and weakness with sufficient clearness. 

"As the evening approached and no sign of 
their surrender appeared, I ordered the two 
pieces of ordnance to be leveled toward the en- 
emy, to try their effect in causing them to 
yield ; but they suffered greater injury when 
full license was given to the allies to attack 
them than from the cannon, although the lat- 
ter did them some mischief. As this was of 
little avail, I ordered the musketry to be fired. 
When a certain angular space, where they were 
crowded together, was gained, and some of 
the people thrown into the water, those that 
remained there yielded themselves prisoners 
without a struggle. 

" In the mean time, the brigantines suddenly 
entered that part of the lake, and broke through 
the midst of the fleet of canoes, the warriors 
who were in them not daring to make any re- 
sistance. It pleased God that the captain of a 
brigantine, named Garci Holguin, came up be- 



224 HERNAtfDO CORTEZ. 

hind a canoe in which there seemed to be per- 
sons of distinction ; and when the archers, who 
were stationed in the bow of the brigantine, 
took aim at those in the canoe, they made a 
signal that the emperor was there, that the men 
might not discharge their arrows. Instantly 
our people leaped into the canoe, and seized in 
it Guatemozin and the Lord of Tacuba, to- 
gether with other distinguished persons who 
accompanied the emperor. 

" Immediately after this occurrence, G-arci 
Holguin, the captain, delivered to me, on a ter- 
race adjoining the lake, where I was standing, 
Guatemozin, with other noble prisoners. As I, 
without showing any asperity of manner, bade 
him sit down, he came up to me and said, in his 
own tongue, 

" ' That he had done all that was incumbent 
on him in defense of himself and his people, 
until he was reduced to his present condition ; 
that now I might do with him as I pleased/ 
He then laid his hand on a poniard that I wore, 
telling me to strike him to the heart. 

" I spoke encouragingly to him, and bade 
him have no fears. Thus, the emperor being 
taken a prisoner, the war ceased at this point, 
which it pleased God our Lord to bring to a 
conclusion on Tuesday, St. Hippolytus's day, 
the thirteenth of August, 1521 ; so that from 
the day in which the city was first invested, 



THE CAPITAL CAPTURED. 



225 



the 3d of May in that year, until it was taken, 
seventy-five days had elapsed, during which 
time your majesty will see what labors, dan- 
gers, and calamities your subjects endured, and 
their deeds afford the best evidence how much 
they exposed their lives." 

For three hundred years, while Mexico re- 
mained under Spanish rule, the anniversary of 
this victory was regularly celebrated with all 
the accompaniments of national rejoicing. 




Guatemozin Bequests Cortez to Kill Him, 




CHAPTER X. 



THE CONQUEST CONSUMMATED. 



With zeal and energy which never slept, 
Cortez fitted out several expeditions to explore 
the country, to study its geography, and to 
ascertain its resources. One party, ascending 
the heights of the Cordilleras, gazed with de- 
light upon the placid expanse of the Pacific 
Ocean, and descending the western declivity, 
planted the cross upon the sandy shores of that 
hitherto unknown sea. Cortez was exceedingly 
elated with this discovery, for he considered it 
another bribe with which to purchase the favor 
of his sovereign. He immediately made arrange- 
ments for establishing a colony on the Pacific 
shores, and ordered four vessels to be built to 
prosecute farther discoveries. He lost no time 
in transmitting to the emperor the tidings of 
this great achievement. 

" I have received, most powerful sire," he 
wrote, "some account of another sea to the 
south, and learned that at two or three points 
it was twelve, thirteen, and fourteen days' jour- 
ney from this city. The information gave me 
226 



THE CONQUEST CONSUMMATED* 22T 

much pleasure, for it appeared to me that the 
discovery would prove a great and signal serv- 
ice to your majesty, especially as all who pos- 
sess any knowledge or experience in navigation 
to the Indies have considered it certain that 
the discovery of the South Sea in these parts 
would bring to light many islands rich in gold, 
pearls, precious stones, and spiceries, together 
with many other unknown and choice produc- 
tions. The same has been affirmed also by 
persons versed in learning and skilled in the 
science of cosmography. With such views, 
and a desire that I might render your majesty 
a distinguished and memorable service in this 
matter, I dispatched four Spaniards, two by one 
route and two by another, who, having obtained 
the necessary information as to the course they 
were to take, set out, accompanied by several 
of our allies as guides and companions. I or- 
dered them not to stop until they had reached 
the sea, and when they had discovered it, to 
take actual and corporal possession in the name 
of your majesty. 

"One of these parties traveled about one 
hundred and thirty leagues, through many fine 
provinces, without encountering any obstacles, 
and arrived at the sea, of which they took pos- 
session, and, in token thereof, set up crosses 
along the coast. After some days they returned 
with an account of their discovery, and informed 



228 HERNAKDO CORTES. 

me very particularly concerning it. They 
brought with them several of the natives from 
that quarter, together with good specimens of 
gold from the mines found in the provinces 
through which they passed, which with other 
specimens, I now send to your majesty. 

" The other party were absent somewhat 
longer, for they took a different course, and 
traveled one hundred and fifty leagues before 
they reached the sea, of which they also took 
possession, and brought me a full account of 
the coast, with some of the natives of the coun- 
try. I received the strangers in both parties 
graciously, and having informed them of the 
great power of your majesty, and made them 
some presents, I suffered them to depart on 
their return to their own country, and they 
went away much gratified. 

"In my former relation, most catholic sire, 
I informed your majesty that, at the time when 
the Indians defeated me, and first drove us out 
of the city of Tenochtitlan, all the provinces 
subject to that city rebelled against your maj- 
esty and made war upon us ; and your majesty 
will see, by this relation, how we have reduced 
to your royal service most of the provinces that 
proved rebellious. 

"As the city," he continues, "of Tenochtit- 
lan was a place of great celebrity and distinc- 
tion, and ever memorable, it appeared to me 



THE CONQUEST -CONSUMMATED. 229 

that it would be well to build another town 
upon its ruins. I therefore distributed the 
ground among the proposed inhabitants, and 
appointed alcaldes and regidores in the name 
of jour majesty, according to the custom of 
your realms ; and while the houses were go- 
ing up, we determined to abide in the city of 
Cuyoacan, where we at present are. It is now 
four or five months since the rebuilding of the 
city was commenced, and it is already very 
handsome. Your majesty may be assured 
that it will go on increasing to such a degree 
that, as it was formerly the capital and mistress 
of all these provinces, it will still be so here- 
after. It is built so far and will be completed 
in such a manner as to render the Spaniards 
strong and secure, greatly superior to the na- 
tives, and wholly unassailable by them." 

The power of Cortez was now unlimited. 
The whole native population were virtually his 
slaves. He had the address to secure the friend- 
ly co-operation of the principal chiefs, and the 
Indians, in any numbers which he required, 
were driven by them to their reluctant toil. 
The Spaniards assumed the office of overseers, 
while the natives performed all the menial and 
painful labor. Timber was cut and dragged by 
the men of burden from the adjacent forests, 
and from the ruins of Tenochtitlan the new and 
beautiful city of Mexico rose as by magic. 

] 7— Cortet J 



230 HERNANDO COKTE2. 

Charles V., King of Spain and Emperor of 
Germany, was overwhelmed by the cares of his 
enormous empire. The scenes transpiring far 
away in the wilderness of the New World, im- 
portant as they were, could claim but a small 
share of his attention. Velasquez succeeded 
in gaining very influential friends at court, and 
plied all his energies, with untiring diligence, 
to secure the disgrace of Oortez. Pride, ambi- 
tion, and revenge alike inspired him to work, 
if possible, the ruin of the bold adventurer who 
had set his power at defiance. The sovereign 
was at this time in Germany, and the reins of 
government in Spain were temporarily placed 
in the hands of Adrian, who had been private 
tutor of the emperor. 

Influenced by the coadjutors of Velasquez 
Adrian issued a warrant, signed at Burgos on 
the 11th of April, 1521, which, after recapitu- 
lating the offenses of which Oortez had been 
guilty against the majesty of the Spanish gov- 
ernment, appointed a commissioner to repair to 
Mexico, seize the person of Oortez, suspend him 
from his functions, sequestrate his property, 
and bring him to trial upon the weighty charges 
contained in the indictment. 

The accomplishment of a task so difficult re- 
quired a man of consummate tact and energy ; 
but, unfortunately, the agent selected was to- 
tally unqualified for his task. Christoval de 



THE CONQUEST CONSUMMATED. 231 

Tapia, the appointed commissioner, was a fee- 
ble, fussy old man, a government inspector of 
metals in Saint Domingo. He landed at Vera 
Cruz in December, with his commission in his 
hand. The authorities there, quite devoted to 
Cortez, and fully aware that in his fall their 
fortunes must also decay, threw every obstacle 
in their power in the path of Tapia. They dis- 
puted his credentials, and, by innumerable em- 
barrassments, prevented him from entering the 
interior. 

Cortez, on the other hand, while cordially 
accepting this important co-operation on the 
part of his friends, the more valuable since it 
did not involve him in any responsibility, wrote 
to Tapia a letter full of expressions of courtesy, 
and of veneration for the authority of the em- 
peror. The imbecile old man soon became en- 
tangled in a labyrinth of diplomacy from which 
he knew not how to extricate himself. He bad. 
not sufficient force of character to cut the tan- 
gled threads. It is said that every one has his 
weak point. Love of money was the great frail- 
ty of Tapia. United with this there was a great 
timidity of character. Cortez, with his accus- 
tomed tact, discovered the peculiarities of the 
man, and, with his habitual adroitness, assailed 
him where his armor was weak. The old 
man's fears were assailed with threats, and his 
avarice was approached by bribes, and he very 



232 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

soon capitulated. Re-embarking in his ship, 
he returned to Hispaniola, leaving Cortez in 
undisputed authority. 

This affair alarmed Cortez exceedingly. The 
account which he himself gives of it in his de- 
spatch to the emperor is so curious and char- 
acteristic of the man, that we must give it in 
his own words. The despatch itself will be more 
interesting and valuable than any narrative we 
might give of the event. Upon the departure 
of Tapia, Cortez immediately sent deputies 
to the emperor with a glowing account of 
his new discoveries and conquests, with many 
rich gifts, and the promise of immense future 
contributions. He gave, as it were incidentally, 
an account of the mission of Tapia, explained 
with great naivete the reasons of its failure, and 
implored anew that he might be intrusted with 
the government of the wide realms which his 
skill and the valor of his followers had attached 
to the Spanish crown. 

" While engaged in this business," he writes, 
"I received accounts from Vera Cruz of the 
arrival at that port of a ship, in which came 
Christoval de Tapia, smelting inspector in the 
island of Hispaniola. The next clay I had a 
letter from him, informing me that the object 
of his coming to the country was to assume the 
government of it by your majesty's command, 
and that he had brought with him his royal 



THE CONQUEST CONSUMMATED. 233 

commission, which he should nowhere exhibit 
until he saw us, but hoped this would be soon. 
As, however, the horses he had brought were 
affected by the voyage, he was not able to set 
out immediately, and begged that we would 
direct how the interview should take place, 
whether by his coming here, or by my going to 
the seacoast. 

" As soon as I had received his letter, I an- 
swered it, saying that I was much pleased with 
his arrival ; that no one could come provided 
with an order from his majesty to assume the 
government of these parts with whom I should 
be better pleased, both on account of the ac- 
quaintance that existed between us, and the 
neighborly intercourse we had enjoyed together 
in the island of Hispaniola. 

" Tranquillity not being firmly established in 
this quarter, and any novelty being likely to es- 
trange the natives, I begged Father Urrea, who 
has been present in all my labors, and who 
knew well the situation of affairs to the present 
moment, and by whose coming your majesty's 
service has been promoted, and ourselves bene- 
fited by his spiritual teachings and counsels, to 
undertake the task of meeting the said Tapia, 
and of examining the orders of your majesty. 
Since he knew -better than any one what the 
royal interests, as well as those of this country, 
required, I requested that he would give such 



234 HERNANDO COBTEZ. 

directions to the said Tapia as he deemed most 
proper, from which he knew I would not deviate 
in the least degree. 

" I made this request in the presence of your 
majesty's treasurer, who joined his solicitations 
to mine. He accordingly departed for the town 
of Vera Cruz, where the said Tapia was ; and 
in order that suitable attentions might he paid 
to the inspector, either in the town or wherever 
they should meet, I despatched with the father 
two or three respectable persons from my com- 
panions, and when they had gone I waited the 
issue. In the mean time, I employed myself in 
regulating the affairs of my command, and in 
such a way as best to promote your majesty's 
interests, and the peace and security of these 
parts. 

i ' In ten or twelve days after, the magistrate 
and municipal authority of Vera Cruz wrote me 
that the said Tapia had exhibited the orders of 
your majesty, and of your governors acting in 
the royal name, which they had treated with all 
suitable reverence ; but that as to the execu- 
tion of the orders, they had answered that, 
since the most of the government were with me, 
having been concerned in the siege of the city, 
they should be informed of them, and in the 
mean time they would do whatever the service 
of your majesty and the good of the country 
required. This answer, they added, was re- 



THE CONQUEST CONSUMMATED. 235 

ceived by the said Tapia with great displeasure, 
and he had since attempted some scandalous 
things. 

" Although this answer occasioned me some 
regret, I answered them, and begged and en- 
treated that they would look chiefly to the 
service of your majesty, and endeavor to content 
the said Tapia, giving him no occasion for 
making a disturbance ; and that I was about 
going to meet him, and to comply with what- 
ever your majesty commanded, and the most 
your service required. 

" As I was now preparing to depart, the 
members of the council entreated me, with 
many protestations, not to go, as all this prov- 
ince of Mexico, having been but a short time 
reduced, might revolt in my absence, whence 
much injury would be done to your majesty's 
service, and great disturbance caused in the 
country. They also urged many other argu- 
ments and reasons why it was inexpedient for 
me to leave the city at present ; and added 
that they, with the authority of the council, 
would go to Vera Cruz, where the said Tapia 
resided, examine the orders of your majesty, 
and perform all that the royal service demanded. 
As it seemed so essential to our safety that the 
said councilors should go, I wrote by them to 
Tapia informing him of what had passed, and 
that I had authorized Gonsalvo de Sandoval, 



236 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

Diego de Soto, and Diego de Valdenebro, who 
were then in the town of Vera Cruz, jointly 
with the council of Vera Cruz and the members 
of the other town councils, to see and perform 
whatever the service of your majesty and the 
good of the country required. 

"When they reached the place where the 
said Tapia was, who had already set out on his 
journey to this city, accompanied by Father 
Pedro, they requested him to return, and all 
went together to the city of Zempoalla, where 
Christoval de Tapia presented your majesty's 
orders, which all received with the respect due 
to your majesty. In regard to their execution, 
they said that they asked some delay of your 
majesty as demanded by the royal interests, for 
causes and reasons contained in their petition, 
and more fully set forth therein. After some 
other acts and proceedings between the in- 
spector Tapia and the deputies, he embarked 
in his own ship, as he had been requested to do, 
since from his remaining, and having published 
that he had come as governor and captain of 
these parts, there would have been disturbances. 

"The coming of the said Tapia, and his 
want of knowledge respecting the country and 
its inhabitants, had already excited sedition, 
and his stay would have led to serious evils if 
God had not interposed to prevent it. Much 
greater service would have been rendered to 



THE CONQUEST CONSUMMATED. 237 

your majesty if, while he was in the island of 
Hispaniola, instead of coming hither, he had 
first advised with your majesty. The said 
Tapia had been often advised by the admiral, 
judges, and other officials of your majesty re- 
siding in the island of Hispaniola not to come 
into these parts until your majesty had first 
been informed of all that had taken place here, 
and on this account they had prohibited his 
coming under certain penalties, which prohibi- 
tion, however, by means in his power, looking 
more at his individual interest than the service 
of your majesty, he had succeeded in getting 
removed. 

" I have prepared this account of everything 
in relation to this matter for your majesty, be- 
cause, when the said Tapia departed, neither 
the deputies nor myself drew up any statement, 
as he would not have been a suitable bearer of 
our letters ; and also that your majesty may see 
and believe that, by not receiving the said 
Tapia, your majesty was well served, as will be 
more fully established whenever it shall be 
necessary." 

While thus engaged, Cortez received intelli- 
gence that the province of Panuco was in a 
state of insurrection. As most of his captains 
were absent on various expeditions, he promptly 
placed himself at the head of a force of one 
hundred and thirty horsemen, two hundred and 



238 HERNANDO COBTEZ. 

fifty infantry, and ten thousand Mexicans, and 
marched to inflict such punishment upon the 
rebels as should intimidate all others from a 
similar attempt. 

The two hostile bodies soon met. Accord- 
ing to the estimate of the Spaniards, the number 
of the enemy amounted to above seventy thou- 
sand warriors. " But it was God's will," the 
historian records, "that we should obtain a 
victory, with such a slaughter of the rebels as 
deprived them of all thought of making any 
head for the present." Cortez ravaged the 
country, mercilessly crushing all who offered 
the slightest resistance. Having thus quenched 
in blood the flickering flame of independence, 
he returned victorious to the metropolis. 

Here he was informed that some of the in- 
habitants of the neighboring mountains had 
manifested a restive spirit, and had caused dis- 
turbance in other peaceable districts. Sternly 
he marched to chastise them. The punishment 
was prompt and severe ; thousands were shot 
down, and their chiefs were hanged. "They 
were punished," says Diaz, "with fire and 
sword ; and greater misfortunes befell them 
when Nuno de Guzman came to be their gov- 
ernor, for he made them all slaves, and sold 
them in the islands." 

The father of Cortez, who was in Spain, and 
who was a man of much elevation of character, 




Cortez, face p. 2X8 



Cortez in Armor. 



THE CONQUEST CONSUMMATED. 239 

now came forward to aid his son with his influ- 
ence at court. Implacable enemies were in- 
triguing against the bold Spanish adventurer 
in the court of Charles V., who had returned 
from his long absence in Germany, and was 
now at Madrid. Don Martin Cortez had se- 
cured the co-operation of a powerful nobleman, 
the Duke of Bejar. The young monarch, be- 
wildered by the accusations which were brought 
against Cortez on the one hand, and by the de- 
fense which was urged upon the other, referred 
the whole matter to a commission specially ap- 
pointed to investigate the subject. The charges 
which were brought against him were serious 
and very strongly sustained by evidence. 

1. He had seized rebelliously, and finally de- 
stroyed, the fleet intrusted to him by Governor 
Velasquez, whose authority he was bound to 
obey. 

2. He had usurped powers in contempt of 
the authority of his lawful sovereign. 

3. He had made war upon Narvaez, who had 
been sent with full authority to supersede him, 
and had slain many of his companions. He had 
also refused to receive Tapia, though he was 
invested with the authority of the crown. 

4. He had cruelly, and in dishonor of the 
Spanish name, put Guatemozin to the torture. 

5. He had remitted but a small part of the 
treasures obtained to the crown, squandering 



240 HERKAtfDO CORTEZ. 

vast sums in schemes to promote his own ag- 
grandizement. 

6. His whole system of procedure was one of 
violence, extortion, and cruelty. 

It was urged in defense, 

1. Two thirds of the cost of the expedition, 
nominally fitted out by Velasquez, were de- 
frayed by Cortez. 

2. The interests of the crown required that 
colonies should be established in Mexico. Ve- 
lasquez was invested with power to traffic only, 
not to found colonies ; consequently, Cortez, in 
the discharge of his duty, was bound to estab- 
lish colonies, and to send to the crown for the 
ratification of the deed, as he had done. 

3. It was the wish of Cortez to meet Nar- 
vaez amicably ; but that commander, assuming 
a hostile attitude, had compelled Cortez, to do 
the same. The treatment of Tapia was de- 
fended as in the despatch which Cortez had 
transmitted to the emperor. 

4. The torture of Guatemozin was declared 
to have been, not the act of Cortez, but of one 
of his officers, who was driven to it by the 
clamors of the soldiers. 

5. It was clearly proved that Cortez had trans- 
mitted more than one fifth of the treasure 
obtained to the crown. It was also pretty con- 
clusively proved that his administration was in 
general characterized by far-reaching sagacity. 



THE CONQUEST CONSUMMATED. 241 

The defense was triumphant. Cortez was 
acquitted, his acts were confirmed, and he was 
appointed governor, captain-general, and chief 
justice of the immense empire which he had 
subjugated. The power with which he was in- 
vested was vast — almost unlimited. He was 
authorized to appoint to all offices, civil and 
military. He could also banish from the 
country any persons whose conduct should be 
displeasing to him. A large salary was con- 
ferred upon him, that he might maintain the 
splendor becoming his rank. His officers were 
richly rewarded. The emperor even conde- 
scended to write a letter to the little army in 
Mexico with his own hand, applauding the hero- 
ism of the soldiers and the grandeur of their 
chieftain. This was one of the greatest of the 
victories of Cortez. The depression of his 
enemies was equal to his own elation. Velas- 
quez was crushed by the blow. He survived 
the tidings through a few months of gloom, and 
then sank into the grave, the only refuge for 
those weary of the world. 

"When the envoys arrived in Mexico with the 
decision of the court, they were received with 
universal rejoicing. Every soldier of Cortez 
felt that his fortune was now made. But their 
intrepid commander was not the man for re- 
pose. New discoveries were to be urged, new 
tribes subjugated, and far-distant regions ex- 



242 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

plored. Murmurs loud and deep soon ascended 
from the disaffected, who now wished to repose 
from toil in the enjoyment of their wealth and 
honors. Here is a specimen of their com- 
plaints : 

" I will now relate," says Diaz, " what Cor- 
tez did, which I call very unfair. All those 
who were the dependents of great men, who 
flattered him and told him pleasing things, he 
loaded with favors. Not that I blame him for 
being generous, for there was enough for all ; 
but I say that he ought to have first considered 
those who served his majesty, and whose valor 
and blood made him what he was. But it is 
useless detailing our misfortunes, and how he 
treated us like vassals, and how we were obliged 
to take to our old trade of expeditions and 
battles ; for, though he forgot us in his distri- 
bution of property, he never failed to call upon 
us when he wanted our assistance. When we 
went to the general with the request that he 
would give us some part of the property which 
his majesty had ordered that he should receive, 
he told us, and swore to it, that he would pro- 
vide for us all, and not do as he had done, for 
which he was very sorry. As if we were to be 
satisfied with promises and smooth words ! " 

Oortez had a very effectual way of escaping 
from such remonstrants. He immediately de- 
spatched such men as were troublesome on some 



THE CONQUEST CONSUMMATED. 243 

important expedition, where all their energies 
of mind and body would be engrossed in sur- 
mounting the difficulties which they would be 
called to encounter. A man by the name of 
Rangel, who had some considerable influence, 
was complaining bitterly. Cortez immediately 
decided that the distant province of the Zapote- 
cans was in a threatening attitude, and needed 
looking after. They were a fierce people, dwell- 
ing among almost inaccessible cliffs, where no 
horse could climb and no artillery be dragged. 
From such an enterprise it was little probable 
that the troublesome man would ever return. 
He was consequently honored with the com- 
mand of the expedition. For apparently the 
same reason, Bernal Diaz, whose complaints 
we have just read, was appointed to accompany 
the detachment. 

The forlorn party entered boldly the defiles 
of the mountains, and wading through marshes, 
and struggling through ravines, and clambering 
over rocks, with the utmost difficulty and peril 
penetrated the savage region. The natives, 
nimble as the chamois, leaped from crag to crag, 
whistling an insulting defiance with a peculiarly 
shrill note, with which every rock seemed 
vocal. Stones were showered down upon them, 
and immense rocks, torn from their beds, leaped 
crashing over their path. Their peril soon be- 
came great, and it was so evidently impossible 

18— Cortex 



244 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

to accomplish any important result, that they 
abandoned the expedition, nearly all wounded, 
and many having been killed. 

During the period of four years Cortez de- 
voted himself with untiring zeal to the promo- 
tion of the interests of the colony. The new 
city of Mexico rose rapidly, with widened streets 
and with many buildings of much architectural 
beauty. Where the massive temple once stood, 
dedicated to the war-god of the Aztecs, and 
whose altars were ever polluted with human 
sacrifices, a majestic temple was reared for the 
worship of the true God. Cortez erected for 
himself a gorgeous palace fronting on the great 
square. It was built of hewn stone. All the 
houses constructed for the Spaniards were mas- 
sive stone buildings, so built as to answer the 
double purpose of dwellings and fortresses. 

The zeal of Cortez for the conversion of the 
natives continued unabated. In addition to the 
spacious cathedral, where the imposing rites of 
the Catholic Church were invested with all 
conceivable splendor, thirty other churches 
were provided for the natives, who had now be- 
come exceedingly pliant to the wishes of the 
conqueror. Father Olmedo watched over the 
interests of religion with great purity of pur- 
pose and with unwearied devotion until his 
death. Twelve Catholic priests were sent from 
Spain. Benighted as they were in that dark 



THE CONQtfEST CONSUMMATED. 245 

age, the piety of many of these men can hardly 
be questioned. Cortez received them with 
great distinction. Immediately upon being in- 
formed of their arrival at Vera Cruz, he ordered 
the road to Mexico to be put in order, to render 
their journey easy, and houses to be furnished, 
at proper distances, with refreshments for their 
accommodation. The inhabitants of all the 
towns along their route were ordered to meet 
them with processions and music, and all dem- 
onstrations of reverence and joy. As they 
approached the metropolis, Cortez, at the head 
of a brilliant cavalcade, which was followed by 
a vast procession bearing crucifixes and lighted 
tapers, set out to receive them. The Catholic 
missionaries appeared with bare feet and in 
the most humble garb. Cortez dismounted, 
and, advancing to the principal father of the 
fraternity, bent one knee to the ground in token 
of reverence, and kissed his coarse and thread- 
bare robe. The natives gazed with amazement 
upon this act of humiliation on the part of their 
haughty conqueror, and ever after regarded 
the priests with almost religious adoration. 

When conversion consists in merely inducing 
men to conform to some external ceremony, 
while the heart remains unchanged, it is easily 
accomplished. The missionaries, with great 
zeal, embarked in the enterprise of establishing 
the Catholic religion in every village of the 



246 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

subjugated empire. They were eminently suc- 
cessful, and in a few years almost every vestige 
of the ancient idolatry had disappeared from 
Mexico. 

Cortez did everything in his power to induce 
the natives to return to the capital. He intro- 
duced the mechanic arts of Europe, and all the 
industrial implements of that higher civiliza- 
tion. The streets were soon again thronged 
with a busy population, and the Indian and the 
Spaniard, oblivious of past scenes of deadly 
strife, mingled together promiscuously in peace- 
ful and picturesque confusion. 

Many colonies were established in different 
parts of the country, and settlers were invited 
over from Old Spain by liberal grants of land, 
and by many municipal privileges. 

In the midst of these important transactions, 
while Cortez was living quietly with the ami- 
able Marina, who had borne him a son, a ship 
arrived at Vera Cruz bringing Donna Catalina, 
the wife of the wayward adventurer. This 
lady, accompanied by her brother, weary of the 
solitude of her plantation, where she had now 
been left for many years, came in search of her 
unfaithful spouse. Cortez made great preten- 
sions to religion. It was his crowning glory 
that he was the defender of the faith. It would 
have been altogether too great a scandal to have 
repudiated his faithful wife. 



THE CONQUEST CONSUMMATED. 247 

" Cortez," says Bernal Diaz, " was very sor- 
ry for their coming, but he put the best face 
upon it, and received them with great pomp 
and rejoicing." In three months from this 
time the unhappy Donna Oatalina died of an 
asthma. Her death was so evidently a relief to 
Cortez, and so manifestly in accordance with 
his wishes, that many suspicions were excited 
that she had fallen by the hand of violence. 
Though Cortez had many enemies to accuse him 
of the murder of his wife, there is no evidence 
whatever that he was guilty. Cortez had many 
and great faults, but a crime of this nature 
seems to be quite foreign to his character. 
The verdict of history in reference to this 
charge has been very cordially Not proven. 





CHAPTER XL 

THE EXPEDITION TO HONDURAS. 

The great object of the Spanish adventurers 
was to extort gold from the natives. The 
proud cavaliers would not work, and the na- 
tives were not willing to surrender the fruits of 
their toil to support their haughty conquerors 
in splendor. Cortez consequently, though re- 
luctantly, doomed them to slavery. They were 
driven by the lash to unpaid toil. It was an 
outrage defended only by the despotic assump- 
tions of avarice. The Tlascalans, however, in 
acknowledgment of their services as allies of 
the Spaniards, were exempt from this degrada- 
tion. In all other parts the wretched natives 
toiled under their taskmasters, in the fields and 
in the mines, urged by the sole stimulus of the 
lash. The country thus became impoverished 
and beggared, and masters and slaves sank to- 
gether. 

Cortez had now reduced, in subjection to the 

crown of Spain, an extent of country reaching 

along the Atlantic coast twelve hundred miles, 
243 



THE EXPEDITION TO HONDUKAS. 249 

and extending fifteen hundred miles on the 
Pacific shore. With energetic genius which 
has rarely been surpassed, the conqueror estab- 
lished laws and institutions, many of them 
eminently wise, for this vast realm. 

Cortez had sent one of his captains, Chris- 
toval de Olid, to Honduras, to found a Spanish 
colony there. This intrepid man, giddy with 
the possession of vast power, and encouraged 
by the success with which Cortez had thrown 
off his dependence upon Velasquez, determined 
to imitate his example, and assert independence 
of all authority save that of the Spanish crown. 
But Cortez was the last man to allow his au- 
thority to be thus trifled with. He immedi- 
ately sent an expedition under Francisco Las 
Casas, with five ships and a hundred veteran 
Spanish soldiers, to arrest the disobedient 
officer. With pennants flying, Las Casas sailed 
from Vera Cruz, and was rapidly borne by pros- 
perous gales around the immense promontory 
of Yucatan, a voyage of nearly two thousand 
miles, to the bay in Honduras named the Tri- 
umph of the Cross, where Olid had established 
his post. Olid opposed his landing, but, as 
many of his soldiers chanced to be absent in 
the interior, he could present no effectual re- 
sistance. 

After a short battle, Olid, hoping for the 
speedy return of his absent forces, applied for 



250 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

a truce. Las Casas weakly consented ; but 
that same night a tempest arose which wrecked 
all his ships, and thirty of the crew perished in 
the waves. Las Casas and all of the remain- 
der of his party, drenched and exhausted, were 
taken prisoners. Olid exulted greatly in this 
unanticipated good fortune ; and, considering 
his foe utterly powerless, released the men upon 
their taking the oath of allegiance to him, and 
retained Las Casas surrounded with the cour- 
tesies of friendly and hospitable captivity. 
After a time, however, Las Casas succeeded in 
forming a conspiracy, and Olid was seized and 
beheaded. 

Cortez had heard of the wreck of the ships. 
No other tidings reached him. But disaster 
ever added strength to his energies. Vigorously 
he fitted out another expedition, and headed 
it himself. Leaving a strong garrison to guard 
the city of Mexico, and appointing two confi- 
dential officers to act as deputies during his 
absence, he prepared to march across the coun- 
try, a perilous journey of five hundred leagues, 
through a wilderness of mountains, rivers, lakes, 
and forests. Unknown and doubtless hostile 
tribes peopled the whole region. It was one 
of the boldest of the many bold adventures of 
this extraordinary man. He has given a minute 
narrative of the march in a despatch to Charles 
V. Bernal Diaz also, who accompanied the 



THE EXPEDITION TO HONDURAS. 251 

expedition, has given an interesting yet gossip- 
ing recital of all its wild adventures. 

It was on the 12th of October, 1524, that 
Cortez commenced his march almost due south 
from the city of Mexico. His force consisted, 
when he started from Mexico, of about one 
hundred Spanish horsemen and fifty infantry, 
together with about three thousand Mexican 
soldiers. Apprehending that Guatemozin and 
the cacique of Tacuba, from their strong influ- 
ence over the natives, might excite disturbance 
during his absence, he took them as captives 
with him. Several Catholic priests were taken 
to conduct the services of religion, and to con- 
vert the heathen tribes. The imperial retinue 
— for Cortez now moved with the pomp of an em- 
peror — was conducted on the grandest scale the 
time and the occasion would admit. A large 
herd of swine followed the army a day's jour- 
ney in the rear. Most of the food, however, 
was to be collected by the way. 

By the aid of a rude map and Indian guides, 
Cortez designed to direct his steps across the 
neck of the broad peninsula of Yucatan to the 
head of the Bay of Honduras. For many days 
their path conducted along a low and marshy 
country intersected by innumerable streams. 
Some they were able to ford ; over others their 
ingenious architects would speedily throw a 
bridge. Occasionally they would arrive upon 



252 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

the banks of a stream so wide and deep that 
many days would be employed in rearing a 
structure over which they could pass. Cortez, 
in his letter to Charles V., enumerating the 
difficulties encountered, states that in a dis- 
tance of one hundred miles he found it neces- 
sary to construct no less than fifty bridges. 

The amiable Marina accompanied Cortez on 
this expedition, since her services were very 
essential as interpreter. But Cortez now, hav- 
ing buried his lawful wife, and probably look- 
ing forward to some more illustrious Spanish 
alliance which might strengthen his influence 
at court, regarded Marina as an embarrassment. 
He therefore secured her marriage with a Cas- 
tilian knight, Don Juan Xamarillo. A hand- 
some estate was assigned to the newly-married 
couple in the native province of Marina, 
through which the expedition passed on its way 
to Honduras. We hear of Marina no more. 
Her son, Don Martin Cortez, aided by the 
patronage of his powerful father, became one 
of the most prominent of the grandees of his 
native land. He filled many posts of opulence 
and honor. At last he was suspected of 
treason against the home government, and 
was shamefully put to the torture in the Mexi- 
can capital. 

As Cortez and his army advanced day after 
day through provinces where his renown was 



THE EXPEDITION TO HONDURAS. 253 

known, and where Spanish adventurers were 
established, he was received with every possi- 
ble demonstration of homage. Triumphal 
arches crossed his path. Processions advanced 
to greet him. Provisions were brought to him 
in abundance. Bonfires, with their brilliant 
blaze, cheered the night, and festivities, ar- 
ranged with all the possible accompaniments 
of barbaric pomp, amused him by day. He 
arrived at the banks of a wide, deep, and rapid 
river. To his great gratification, he found 
that the natives had collected three hundred 
canoes, fastened two and two, to ferry his army 
across. At this place Bernal Diaz joined the 
expedition. "Weary of the hardships of war, he 
complains bitterly that he was compelled again 
to undergo the fatigues of an arduous campaign. 
"The general ordered," he says, "all the 
settlers of Guacacualco who were fit for service 
to join his expedition. I have already men- 
tioned how this colony was formed out of the 
most respectable hidalgos and ancient con- 
querors of the country, and now that we had 
reason to expect to be left in quiet possession 
of our hard-earned properties, our houses and 
farms, we were obliged to undertake a hostile 
expedition to the distance of fifteen hundred 
miles, and which took up the time of two and 
a half years ; but we dared not say no, neither 
would it avail us. We therefore armed our- 



254 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

selves ; and, mounting our horses, joined the 
expedition, making, in the whole, above two 
hundred and fifty veterans, of whom one hun- 
dred and thirty were cavalry, besides many 
Spaniards newly arrived from Europe." 

But as they marched resolutely along, week 
after week, over mountains, through morasses, 
and across rivers, the country became more wild 
and savage, the natives more shy, and provis- 
ions less abundant. Several days were often 
occupied in constructing a bridge to cross a 
river. Scouts were sent out upon either wing 
of the army foraging for food. The natives 
fled often from their villages, carrying their 
food with them. Famine began to stare them 
in the face. Sickness diminished the ranks, 
and emaciate men, haggard and way-worn, 
tottered painfully along the rugged ways. 

But the indefatigable energy and wonderful 
foresight of Oortez saved the army. He seemed 
to have provided for every emergency which 
mortal sagacity could anticipate. One day the 
starving army, almost in despair, came to the 
banks of a large river. The broad current rolled 
many leagues through a pathless wilderness, 
and emptied into the Gulf of Mexico. The 
army, to its great surprise, found fifty large 
canoes in a little sheltered bay, laden with pro- 
visions, and aw T aiting its arrival. The river 
was the Tabasco. At its mouth there was an 



THE EXPEDITION TO HONDURAS. 255 

important Spanish colony. Cortez had fore- 
seen the want at that point, and provided the 
timely supply. 

After resting here for a few days to recruit, 
the army continued its march, and soon came 
to a river so wide and deep that they could not 
bridge it. Here they remained four days, 
while every skilful hand was employed con- 
structing canoes. It then required four days 
more for the immense host to be paddled across 
in these frail barks. The horses swam after 
the boats, led by halters. Upon the other side 
of the river they entered upon a vast swamp, 
extending for many leagues, and tangled by the 
dense growth of the tropics. They were three 
days floundering through this dismal slough, 
the horses being most of the time up to their 
girths in the morass. 

From this gloomy region of reptiles, torment- 
ing insects, and mire, they emerged upon a fer- 
tile country, where they found an abundance 
of Indian corn or maize. But the terrified in- 
habitants fled at their approach. Foraging 
parties were, however, sent out to plunder the 
villages of their stores. They did this efficient- 
ly, and the encampment was again filled with 
plenty. After a halt of three days, the soldiers, 
having replenished their knapsacks with parched 
corn, again took up their line of march. 
Each man carried food for three days. Some 



256 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

of the native chiefs, who had been enticed into 
the camp, deceived them with the assurance 
that in three days they would arrive at a large 
city, where they would find every needful sup- 
ply. They soon reached the banks of a broad 
river, deep and rapid. It required three days 
to construct a bridge to cross it. Their knap- 
sacks were now empty. They were hungry and 
faint, and there was no food to be obtained. 
Painfully the famishing men toiled along 
another day, eating the leaves of the trees, 
and digging up roots for food. Some poisonous 
quality in this innutritious diet parched their 
lips and blistered their tongues. To add to 
their despair, there was no longer any path, and 
the dense underbrush, with tough vines and 
sharp thorns, impeded their march and lacerated 
their flesh. The trees towered above them with 
foliage impenetrable by the rays of the sun. 
They were wandering through a dark and dis- 
mal wilderness, from which there was no ap- 
parent outlet, compelled with sword and hatchet 
to cut every step of their way through tangled 
shrubs. 

Cortez, guided only by the compass and a rude 
Indian map, now manifested for the first time 
deep concern. He could not conceal from his 
companions the anxiety which oppressed him, 
for his army was literally starving. He was 
overheard to say, " If we are left to struggle 



THE EXPEDITION TO HONDURAS. 257 

another day through this wilderness, I know 
not what will become of us." 

Suddenly, to their great joy, they came upon 
an Indian path. This soon conducted them to 
a village. The inhabitants had fled, but the 
Spaniards found some granaries well supplied 
with corn. During this terrible march of seven 
days, many perished by fatigue and hunger. 
It was also discovered that some of the Mexican 
chiefs, in their extremity, had seized some of 
the natives whom they encountered, and had 
killed and eaten them. The bodies were baked, 
in accordance with their cannibal customs, in 
ovens of heated stones under the ground. 

" Cortez," says Bernal Diaz, "severely rep- 
rehended all those concerned, and one of the 
reverend father Franciscans preached a holy 
and wise sermon on the occasion ; after which, 
by way of example, the general caused one to be 
burned. Though all were equally guilty, yet, 
in the present circumstances, one example was 
judged sufficient." 

After a few days' rest the army again resumed 
its march, but pioneers were sent in advance to 
mark out the way. Their course now lay for 
many leagues through alow country, abounding 
in lakes, and miasmatic marshes, and sluggish 
rivers. The bayous and lagoons were so nu- 
merous that most of the communication from city 
to city was by canoes. The people at first as- 



258 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

sumed a hostile attitude, but soon, overawed by 
the magnitude of the force of Cortez, they with 
great obsequiousness furnished him with all 
required supplies. Still, it was an exceed- 
ingly difficult region for the army to traverse. 
Many days were laboriously employed in bridg- 
ing the innumerable streams. One wide one 
delayed them four days, and their provisions 
were entirely exhausted. Diaz, a man of tact 
and energy, was sent with a strong party to forage 
for the famished camp. He returned in the 
night with a hundred and thirty men of burden 
heavily laden with corn and fruit. The starv- 
ing soldiers, watching their return, rushed upon 
them like wolves ; in a few moments, every 
particle of food which they had brought was 
devoured. Cortez and his officers came eagerly 
from their tents, but there was nothing left for 
them. 

But even in this strait, when the soldiers for- 
got entirely their generals, and even refused to 
save any for them, they did not forget their 
spiritual guides. Every soldier was anxious to 
share his portion with the reverend fathers. It 
speaks well for these holy men that they had 
secured such a hold upon the affections of these 
wild adventurers. Though superstition doubt- 
less had its influence, there must also have been, 
on the part of the priests, much self-denial and 
devotion to their duties. Diaz, apprehensive 



THE EXPEDITION TO HONDURAS. 259 

of the scene of plunder, had concealed at a short 
distance in the rear a few loads for the officers, 
which, he says, they went and got, with great 
gratitude, when the soldiers were all asleep. 

For eight weary days the army now toiled 
along, struggling against hardships and hunger. 
Many were sick, many died, and not a few, in 
despair, deserted their ranks, and endeavored 
to find their way back to Mexico. Oortez, 
knowing full well the heroism of his two cap- 
tives, Guatemozin and the cacique of Tacuba, 
was now very apprehensive that they might 
take advantage of his weakness, incite the 
natives to revolt, and thus secure his destruc- 
tion. The peril was so obvious that it must 
have occurred to every mind. The Mexicans 
knew that the Spaniards were now in their 
power, and the Spaniards could not deny it. 

Under these circumstances, Guatemozin was 
accused of having entered into a plot to assas- 
sinate the Spaniards, and then to return to 
Mexico and rouse the whole native population 
to arms, and drive the invaders from the coun- 
try. There seems to have been but little proof 
to substantiate the charge ; but the undeniable 
fact that Guatemozin could now do this, ex- 
cited to the highest degree the anxiety of the 
ever-wary Cortez. The stern conqueror, act- 
ing upon the principle that the end justifies 
the means, resolved to escape from this peril 

19— Corte« KL 



260 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

by the death of his imperial captive and the 
Tacuban lord. Cortez accused them of the 
crime, and, notwithstanding their protesta- 
tions of irnocence, ordered them both to be 
hung. A scaffold was immediately erected, 
and the victims, attended by priests, were led 
out to their execution. Both of these heroic 
men met their fate with dignity. As the mon- 
arch stood upon the scaffold, at the moment of 
his doom he turned to Cortez and said, 

" I now find in what your false promises 
have ended. It would have been better that I 
had fallen by my own hands than to have in- 
trusted myself in your power. Why do you 
thus unjustly take my life ? May G-od demand 
of you this innocent blood." 

The Prince of Tacuba simply said, " I am 
happy to die by the side of my lawful sover- 
eign. " 

They were then both swung into the air, sus- 
pended from the branches of a lofty tree by 
the roadside. There are many stains resting 
upon the character of Cortez, and this is not 
among the least. Diaz records, " Thus ended 
the lives of these two great men ; and I also de- 
clare that they suffered their deaths most unde- 
servingly ; and so it appeared to us all, among 
whom there was but one opinion upon the sub- 
ject, that it was a most unjust and cruel sen- 
tence. " 



THE EXPEDITION TO HONDURAS. 261 

The march was now continued, but the 
gloom which ever accompanies crime weighed 
heavily upon all minds. The Mexicans were 
indignant and morose at the ignominious ex- 
ecution of their chiefs. The Spaniards were in 
constant fear that they would rise against them. 
Even Oortez looked haggard and wretched, 
and his companions thought that he was tor- 
tured by the self-accusation that he was a mur- 
derer. Difficulties were multiplied in his path. 
Famine stared his murmuring army in the 
face. Sleep forsook his pillow. One night, 
bewildered and distracted, he rose, and wan- 
dering in one of the heathen temples, fell over 
a wall, a distance of twelve feet, bruising him- 
self severely, and cutting a deep gash in his 
head. Still they toiled along, occasionally 
coming to towns where there were granaries 
and abundance, and again, in a few days, as 
they could carry but few provisions with them, 
finding themselves in a starving condition. 
Every variety of suffering seemed to be allotted 
them. At one time they arrived upon a vast 
plain, spreading out for leagues, as far as the 
eye could extend, without a bush or shrub to 
intercept the sight. A tropical sun blazed 
down upon the panting troops with blistering 
heat. Many deer, quite tame, ranged these 
immense prairies. At another time they ap- 
proached a large lake of shallow water, and 



262 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

upon an island in its center found a populous 
town. .The soldiers waded to the island 
through the clear waters of the lake. They 
found fishes very abundant, and again had a 
plentiful supply of food. 

Thus far the weather had been fair ; but now 
it changed, and a season of drenching rains 
commenced. Still, the band, impelled by their 
indomitable leader, pressed on. They now en- 
tered upon a very extraordinary region, where 
for leagues the} 7 toiled through dismal ravines, 
frowned upon by barren and craggy rocks. 
The ground was covered with innumerable 
flintstones, peculiarly hard and sharp, which, 
like knives, pierced the feet of the men and 
the horses. In this frightful march nearly 
every horse was wounded and lamed, and eight 
perished. Many of the men also suffered se- 
verely. The difficulty and suffering were so 
great, that upon emerging from this rocky des- 
ert, the army was assembled to return solemn 
thanks to God for their escape. 

But now they encountered new embarrass- 
ments. The streams, swollen by the rains, 
came roaring in impetuous torrents from the 
mountains, and the intervales and the wide- 
spreading meadows were flooded. One stream, 
foaming through enormous precipices, emitted 
a roar which was heard at the distance of six 
miles, It required three days to throw a bridge 



THE EXPEDITION TO HONDURAS. 263 

across this raging mountain torrent. The na- 
tives took advantage of this delay to flee from 
their homes, carrying with them all their pro- 
visions. Again famine threatened the camp. 
This was, perhaps, the darkest hour of the 
march. The horses were lame. The men were 
bleeding, and wayworn, and gaunt. Death by 
starvation seemed inevitable. " I own," says 
Diaz, "1 never in my life felt my heart so de- 
pressed as when I found nothing to be had for 
myself or my people." 

Cortez, however, sent out some very efficient 
foraging parties in all directions. Impelled by 
the energies of despair, the detachment suc- 
ceeded in obtaining food. This strengthened 
them until they reached a large town called 
Taica, where they again rejoiced in abundance. 
The rain still continued to fall in torrents, and 
the soldiers, drenched by night and by day, 
toiled along through the mire. Even Cortez 
lost his habitual placidity of temper and began 
to complain. The vain and gossiping Diaz 
would not have his readers unmindful of the 
eminent services he rendered in these emer- 
gencies. With much affected humility he nar- 
rates his exploits. 

" Cortez," says he, "returned me thanks for 
my conduct. But I will drop this subject ; 
for what is praise but emptiness and unprofit- 
ableness, and what advantage is it to me that 



264 HERNANDO CORTE2. 

people in Mexico should tell me what we en- 
dured, or that Cortez should say, when he 
wanted me to go on this last expedition, that, 
next to God, it was me on whom he placed his 
reliance ? " 

They now arrived upon the banks of a river 
which led to the sea-coast. At the mouth of 
this river Olid had established one of his im- 
portant settlements. A march of four days was 
required to reach the coast. Cortez, who was 
entirely ignorant of the death of Olid, and of 
the overthrow of his power, sent forward scouts 
to ascertain the state of things, as it was his in- 
tention to fall upon Olid by surprise at night. 
The army moved slowly down the stream, feed- 
ing miserably upon nuts and roots. The scouts 
returned with the intelligence that there were 
no enemies to be met ; that the insurrection 
was entirely quelled, and the colony, consisting 
of several scattered settlements, was in perfect 
subjection to the authority of Cortez. It is 
difficult to imagine the feelings with which this 
intelligence was received. Cortez must have 
felt, at least for a few moments, exceedingly 
foolish. The Herculean enterprise of a march 
of eighteen hundred miles through a pathless 
wilderness, peopled with savage foes, where 
many hundreds of his army had perished from 
fatigue and famine, and all had endured incon- 
ceivable hardships, had been utterly fruitless. 



THE EXPEDITION TO HONDURAS. 265 

It had been what is sometimes called a wild- 
goose chase, upon a scale of grandeur rarely 
paralleled. 

They soon arrived at a half -starved colony at 
the mouth of the river, consisting of forty men 
and six women. The energies of Cortez were, 
however, unabated. Foraging parties were sent 
out to plunder the natives, which was done 
pitilessly, without any apparent compunctions 
of conscience, as the hunters of wild honey 
destroy the bees and rob the hives. Cortez 
himself set out with a strong party on an ex- 
ploring tour, and returned after an absence of 
twenty-six days, sorely wounded in the face 
from a conflict which he had with the natives. 
If the natives assumed any attitude of resist- 
ance, they were shot like panthers and bears. 

Here Cortez built two brigantines, and sailed 
along the coast some three hundred miles to 
Truxillo. He established on the way, at Port 
Cavallo, a colony, to which place he ordered a 
division of his army to march. Others of the 
troops were to assemble at Naco, quite an im- 
portant town, where Olid had been executed. 
Cortez, upon his arrival at Truxillo, which was 
the principal establishment of the colony in 
Honduras, was received by the colonists with 
great distinction. The Indians in the neigh- 
borhood were immediately assembled, and were 
urged to acknowledge submission to the King 



266 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

of Spain, and to adopt the Christian religion. 
With wonderful pliancy, they acceded to both 
propositions. "The reverend fathers," says 
Diaz, " also preached to the Indians many holy 
things very edifying to hear." From this place 
Cortez sent a despatch to the King of Spain, 
and also a valuable present of gold, " taken," 
says Diaz, " in reality from his sideboard, but 
in such a manner that it should appear to be 
the produce of this settlement." 

Cortez, to his extreme disappointment, found 
the country poor. There was no gold, and but 
little food. Worn down by anxiety and fa- 
tigue, he was emaciated in the extreme, and was 
so exceedingly feeble that his friends despaired 
of his life. Indeed, to Cortez, death seemed so 
near, that, with forethought characteristic of 
this enthusiast, he had made preparations for 
his burial. 

One day, as Cortez, in the deepest dejection, 
was conversing with his friends, a vessel was 
discerned in the distant horizon of the sea. 
The ship had sailed from Havana, and brought 
to Cortez despatches from Mexico. He retired 
to his apartment to read them. As he intently 
perused the documents, his friends in the ante- 
chamber heard him groan aloud in anguish. 
The tidings were indeed appalling, and suffi- 
cient to crush even the spirit of Cortez. For 
a whole day his distress was so great that he 



THE EXPEDITION TO HONDURAS. 267 

did not leave his room. The next morning he 
called for an ecclesiastic, confessed his sins, and 
ordered a mass. He then, somewhat calmed 
by devotion, read to his friends the intelligence 
he had received. 

It was reported in Mexico that the whole 
party which had entered upon the expedition 
to Honduras had perished. Consequently, all 
the property of the adventurers had been sold 
at public auction. The funeral service of Cor- 
tez had been celebrated with great pomp, a 
large part of his immense property having been 
devoted to defray the expenses. The deputies 
whom Cortez had left in charge of the govern- 
ment had quarreled among themselves, and two 
strong parties rising up, the colony had been 
distracted by civil war and bloodshed. Every 
day there was fighting. The natives, encour- 
aged by these disorders, had revolted in three 
provinces. A force which had been sent to 
quell the insurrection had been attacked and 
defeated. 

The same despatches also contained a letter 
from the father of Cortez, informing him that 
his enemies were busy, and successful in their 
intrigues in the court at Madrid, and that two 
very important colonies in Mexico had been 
wrested from his command, and placed, by or- 
der of the king, under the government of 
others. 



268 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

Cortez decided to return immediately, but 
privately, to Mexico. His enemies, who had 
usurped the government, had given out that he 
was dead. Cortez was apprehensive that, were 
his return anticipated, he would be waylaid and 
assassinated. He therefore made arrangements 
for his friends to return by land, while he pri- 
vately embarked for Vera Cruz. A violent 
storm arose, with head winds, and the vessel, 
after struggling a few days against the gale, was 
compelled, with shattered rigging, to return to 
Truxillo. Again, after a few days, the vessel 
weighed anchor, and again it was compelled to 
return. Cortez now, in extreme debility of 
body and dejection of mind, was exceedingly 
perplexed respecting his duty. " He ordered 
a solemn mass," says Diaz, 6i and prayed fer- 
vently to the Holy Ghost to enlighten him as 
to his future proceedings. " 

He now decided to remain in Truxillo, and 
to unite Honduras and Nicaragua into a colony 
which, in extent and resources, would be wor- 
thy of him. He despatched messengers with 
all speed to overtake his friends, who had un- 
dertaken to return by land, and recall them 
to Truxillo. They, however, refused to return. 
Again another messenger was despatched to 
them by Cortez, with still more urgent en- 
treaties. To this they replied by a letter, stating 
very firmly that they had suffered misfortunes 



THE EXPEDITION TO HONDURAS. 269 

enough already in following him, and that they 
were determined to go back to Mexico. San- 
doval, with a small retinue on horseback, took 
this answer to Cortez. He was also commis- 
sioned to do everything in his power to per- 
suade Cortez also to embark again for Mexico. 

Though thus forsaken, he still refused to 
leave Honduras. Weakened by bodily sick- 
ness, which plunged him into the deepest mel- 
ancholy, his usual energies were dormant. He, 
however, sent a confidential servant, named 
Orantes, with a commission to Generals Alvara- 
do and Las Oasas, who had returned from Hon- 
duras to Mexico, to take charge of the govern- 
ment and punish the usurpers. Orantes per- 
formed his mission successfully. The people, 
hearing with joy that Cortez was safe, rallied 
around the newly-appointed deputies, and the 
prominent usurpers were seized and imprisoned 
in a timber cage. Cortez remained in Hondu- 
ras until he received intelligence that the dis- 
turbances in Mexico were quelled. He now 
decided to leave the government of Honduras 
in the hands of a lieutenant, and to return to 
Mexico. His health, however, was so very 
feeble that he hardly expected to survive the 
voyage. He therefore, before embarking, con- 
fessed his sins, partook of the sacrament, and 
settled all his worldly affairs. 

It was on the 25th of April, 1526, that the 



270 



HERNANDO CORTEZ. 



pale and emaciate adventurer, accompanied by 
a few followers, embarked on board a brigantine 
in the anchorage at Truxillo. The morning 




Cortez Attends Mass. 

was serene and cloudless, and a fresh breeze 
filled the unfurled sails. Eapidly the low line 
of the shores of Honduras sank below the hori- 
zon, and Cortez bade them adieu forever. 




CHAPTER XII. 

THE LAST DATS OF CORTEZ. 

For a few days a fair wind bore the voyagers 
rapidly forward over a sunny sea. They had 
arrived nearly within sight of the Mexican shore, 
when clouds blackened the sky, and a tropical 
tempest came howling fiercely upon them. The 
light brigantine was driven before the gale like 
a bubble, and, after being tossed for several days 
upon the angry deep, the voyagers found them- 
selves near the island of Cuba, and were com- 
pelled to enter the harbor of Havana for repairs 
and supplies. 

It was not until the 16th of May that they 
were enabled again to set sail. After a voyage 
of eight days, Cortez landed near St. Juan de 
Ulua. Here he assumed an incognito, and pro- 
ceeded on foot fifteen miles to Medellin. His 
aspect was so changed by sickness and dejec- 
tion that no one recognized him. Here he made 
himself known, and was immediately received 
with the most enthusiastic demonstrations of 

joy. He now pressed forward to the capital in 

271 



272 HERNANDO CORfEZ. 

truly a triumphal march. The whole country 
was aroused, and processions, triumphal arches, 
bonfires, and music, with the ringing of bells 
and the roaring of cannon, greeted him all the 
way. The natives vied with the Spaniards in 
the cordiality of their vvalcome and in the splen- 
dor of their pageants. 

Arrangements were made to receive him at 
the capital with a triumphant fete. He arrived 
at Tezcuco, on the borders of the lake, in the 
evening, and there passed the night. It was 
now the lovely month of June. The sun the 
next morning rose cloudless, and smiled upon 
a scene of marvelous beauty, embellished by all 
the attractions of hills, and valleys, and placid 
waters. The lake was alive with the decorated 
boats of the natives, and the air was filled with 
the hum of peace and joy. Smiles again flitted 
over the wan and pallid cheeks of Cortez as the 
shouts of the multitude, blending with the clari- 
on peals of the trumpet, the chime of bells, and 
the thunders of artillery fell upon his ear. He 
immediately repaired to the church publicly to 
return thanks to God for all his mercies. He 
then retired to his magnificent palace, and again 
assumed the responsibilities of government. 

The enemies of Cortez were still indefatiga- 
ble in the court of Charles V., and they so mul- 
tiplied and reiterated their charges that the em- 
peror deemed it expedient to order an investi- 



THE LAST DAYS OF CORTEZ. 273 

gation. He was charged with withholding gold 
which belonged to the crown, of secreting the 
treasures of Guatemozin, of defrauding the rev- 
enue by false reports, and of surrounding him- 
self with grandeur and power that he might 
assert independence of Spain, and establish 
himself in unlimited sovereignty. 

A commissioner, Luis Ponce de Leon, was 
accordingly sent by the emperor to assume the 
government of Mexico temporarily, and to bring 
Cortez to trial. But a few weeks had passed 
after Cortez returned to the capital before this 
messenger arrived. Cortez, surprised by his 
sudden appearance, was greatly perplexed as to 
the course he should pursue. The intelligence 
was communicated to him as he was perform- 
ing his devotions in the church of St. Francis. 

" He earnestly," says Diaz, " prayed to the 
Lord to guide him as seemed best to his holy 
wisdom, and, on coming out of the church, sent 
an express to bring him information of all par- 
ticulars." 

After much painful deliberation, Cortez de- 
cided to receive the royal commissioner with 
apparent courtesy and submission. He sent to 
him a friendly message, wishing to know which 
of two roads he intended to take on his ap- 
proach to the capital, that he might be met 
and greeted with suitable honors. The friends 
of Leon cautioned him to be on his guard, for 



274 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

they assured him that Cortez would, if possible, 
secure his assassination. Leon warily sent word 
that, fatigued by his voyage, he should not im- 
mediately, visit the capital, but should rest for 
a time. Having despatched this message, he 
immediately mounted his horse, and, with his 
retinue, commenced his journey. The vigilant 
officers of Cortez, however, met him at Iztapal- 
apan. A sumptuous banquet was prepared, and 
some delicious cheese-cakes were placed upon 
the table. All who ate of the cheese-cakes were 
taken sick, and it was reported far and wide 
that Cortez had attempted to poison Leon with 
arsenic. There is no proof that Cortez was 
guilty. The circumstances alone, as we have 
stated them, awakened suspicion. These sus- 
picions were fearfully increased by unfortunate 
events, to which we shall soon allude. 

Leon arrived in the city of Mexico, and in 
the presence of all the civil and military offi- 
cers produced his authority from the emperor, 
Charles V., to assume the governorship of the 
colony, and to bring Cortez to trial. The hum- 
bled and wretched conqueror kissed the docu- 
ment in token of submission. 

Leon now issued public notice that all who 
had complaints to bring against the adminis- 
tration of Cortez should produce them. A host 
of enemies — for all men in power must have 
enemies — immediately arose. The court was 



THE LAST DAYS OF CORTEZ. 275 

flooded with accusations without number. Just 
as Leon was opening the court to give a hear- 
ing to these charges, he was seized with a sud- 
den and a mysterious sickness. After lying in 
a state of lethargy for four days, he died. In a 
lucid moment, he appointed an officer named 
Aguilar, who had accompanied him from Cas- 
tile, as his successor. " What malignities and 
slanders," exclaims Diaz, " were now circulated 
against Cortez by his enemies in Mexico ! " 
The faithful historian, however, affirms that 
Leon died of what is now called the ship fever. 
Notwithstanding all these unfortunate appear- 
ances, it is generally believed that Cortez was 
not abetting in his death. 

Aguilar was a weak and infirm old man, so 
infirm that "he was obliged to drink goat's 
milk, and to be suckled by a Castilian woman 
to keep him alive." This decrepit septuagena- 
rian could accomplish nothing, and after a vac- 
illating and utterly powerless administration of 
eight months during which time the influence 
of Cortez was continually increasing, he died. 
The treasurer, Estrada, by the governor's tes- 
tament, was appointed his successor. The af- 
fairs of the colony were now in a state of great 
confusion. These new governors were imbecile 
men, totally incapable of command. The pop- 
ular voice, in this emergence, loudly called 
upon Cortez to assume the helm. Estrada, 

20— Cortes 



276 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

alarmed by this, issued a decree ordering the 
instant expulsion of Oortez from the city of 
Mexico. Oortez, thus persecuted, resolved to 
return to Spain, and to plead for justice in the 
court of his sovereign. At the same time, he 
received letters informing him of the death of 
his father, and of the renewed activity of his 
enemies at court. 

Purchasing two ships, he stored them with a 
great abundance of provisions, and by a procla- 
mation offered a free passage to any Spaniard 
who could obtain permission from the governor 
to return to Spain. After a voyage of forty 
days he landed on the shores of his country, at 
the little port of Palos, in the month of Decem- 
ber, 1527. Cortez immediately sent an express 
to his majesty, informing him of his arrival. 
In much state he traveled through Seville and 
Guadaloupe to Madrid, winning golden opinions 
all the way by his courtly manners and his 
profuse liberality. 

Upon his arrival at Madrid, he was received 
by the emperor with great courtesy. Cortez 
threw himself at the feet of his majesty, enu- 
merated the services he had performed, and 
vindicated himself from the aspersions of his 
enemies, The monarch seemed satisfied, or- 
dered him to rise, immediately conferred upon 
him the title of Marquis of the Valley, with a 
rich estate to support the dignity. Cortez fell 




Cortez, face p. 276 



Reception of Cortez at Seville. 



THE LAST DAYS OF COKTEZ. 277 

sick, and the emperor honored him with a visit 
in person. Many other marks of the royal fa- 
vor Oortez received, which so encouraged him 
that he began to assume haughty airs, and ap- 
plied to the emperor that he might be appointed 
governor of New Spain. The emperor was 
displeased, declined giving him the appoint- 
ment, and a coldness ensued. Cortez, however, 
at length regained some favor, and obtained 
the title of Captain General of New Spain, 
with permission to fit out two ships on voyages 
of discovery to the south seas. He was also 
entitled to receive, as proprietor, one twelfth 
of the lands he should discover, and to rule 
over the countries he might colonize. 

Cortez was now a man of wealth and renown. 
His manners were highly imposing, his conver- 
sation was rich and impressive, and his favor 
at court gave him a vast influence. His income 
amounted to about one hundred and twenty 
thousand dollars a year. There was no family 
in Spain which would not have felt honored by 
his alliance, and when he sought the hand of the 
young, beautiful, and accomplished niece of the 
Duke of Bejar, his addresses were eagerly ac- 
cepted. The storm-worn yet still handsome 
cavalier led to the altar his blushing bride so 
glittering with brilliant jewels, cut by the ex- 
quisite workmanship of the Aztecs, as to excite 
the envy even of the queen of Charles V. 



£78 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

Cortez soon became weary of a life of idleness 
and luxury, and longed again for the stirring 
adventures of the New World. Early in the 
spring of 1530, he again embarked, with his 
wife and mother, for New Spain. With his 
characteristic zeal for the conversion of the na- 
tives, he took with him twelve reverend fathers 
of the Church. After a short tarry at Hispani- 
ola, he landed at Vera Cruz on the 15th of 
July. As it was feared that Cortez might in- 
terfere with the government of the country, the 
Queen of Spain, who was quite displeased that 
the wife of Cortez wore more brilliant jewels 
than she possessed, had issued an edict prohib- 
iting Cortez from approaching within thirty 
miles of the Mexican capital. He accordingly 
established himself at one of his country estates, 
on the eastern shores of the lake. His renown 
gave him vast influence. From all parts of the 
country crowds flocked to greet him. With re- 
gal pomp he received his multitudinous guests, 
and his princely residence exhibited all the 
splendors of a court. Most of the distinguished 
men of the city of Mexico crossed the lake to 
Tezcuco to pay homage to the conqueror of 
Mexico. The governor was so annoyed by the 
mortifying contrast presented by his own de- 
serted court, that he despotically imposed a 
fine upon such of the natives of the city as 
should be found in Tezcuco, and, affecting to 



THE LAST DAYS OF COETEZ. 279 

apprehend a treasonable attack from Cortez, 
made ostentatious preparations for the defense 
of the capital. 

For a long time there was an incessant and 
petty conflict going on between Cortez and the 
jealous government of the colony. At last, 
Cortez became so annoyed by indignities which 
his haughty spirit keenly felt, that he with- 
drew still farther from the capital, to the city 
of Cuarnavaca, which was situated upon the 
southern slope of the Cordilleras. This was 
the most beautiful and opulent portion of that 
wide domain which the energy of Cortez had 
annexed to the Spanish crown. Here the con- 
queror had erected for himself a magnificent 
palace in the midst of his vast estates. The 
ruins of the princely mansion still remain 
upon an eminence which commands a wide ex- 
tent of landscape of surpassing loveliness. Cor- 
tez devoted himself with characteristic energy 
to promoting the agricultural and industrial in- 
terests of the country. Thousand of hands 
were guided to the culture of hemp and flax. 
Sugar-mills were reared, and gold and silver 
mines were worked with great success. Cortez 
thus became greatly enriched, but his adven- 
turous spirit soon grew weary of these peaceful 
labors. 

In the year 1532, Cortez, at a large expense, 
fitted out an expedition, consisting of two ships, 



280 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

to. explore the Pacific Ocean in search of new 
lands. The ships sailed from the port of Aca- 
pulco, but, to the bitter disappointment of Cor- 
tez, the enterprise was entirely unsuccessful. 
The crew mutinied, and took possession of one 
of the ships, and the other probably foundered 
at sea, for it was never again heard from. 

But the Marquis of the Valley, with his in- 
domitable spirit of energy and perseverance, 
fitted out another expedition of two ships. 
This adventure was as disastrous as the other. 
The two captains quarreled, and took occasion 
of a storm to separate, and did not again join 
company. The southern extremity of the great 
peninsula of California was, however, discovered 
by one of the ships. Here, at a point which 
they called Santa Cruz, a large part of the 
ship's company were massacred by the savages. 
The storm-battered ships eventually returned, 
having accomplished nothing. 

Cortez, still undismayed, prepared for an- 
other attempt. He now, however, resolved to 
take command of the ships himself. His celeb- 
rity induced adventurers from all quarters to 
seek to join the expedition. Three ships were 
launched upon the bay of Tehuantepec. Many 
men crowded on board, with their families, 
to colonize the new lands which should be 
discovered. More than twice as many adven- 
turers as the ships could carry thronged the 



THE LAST DAYS OF CORTEZ. 281 

port, eager to embark in the enterprise. In the 
month of May, 1537, the squadron set sail upon 
the calm surface of the Pacific, the decks being 
crowded with four hundred Spaniards and three 
hundred slaves. About an equal number were 
left behind, to be sent for as soon as the first party 
should be landed at the port of their destination. 

Sailing in a northwesterly direction, favorable 
winds drove them rapidly across the vast G-ulf 
of California until they arrived at Santa Cruz, 
on the southern extremity of that majestic pe- 
ninsula. A landing was immediately effected, 
and the ships were sent back to Mexico to bring 
the remaining colonists. Cortez did not take 
his wife with him, but she was left in their 
princely mansion on the southern slope of the 
Cordilleras. But disasters seemed to accumu- 
late whenever Cortez was not personally pres- 
ent. The ships were delayed by head winds 
and by storms. The colonists at Santa Cruz, 
in consequence of this delay, nearly perished of 
famine. Twenty-three died of privation and 
hunger. At length, in the midst of general 
murmurings and despair, one of the ships re- 
turned. It brought, however, but little relief, 
as the ships which were loaded with provisions 
for the supply of the colonists were still miss- 
ing. 

The discontent in the starving colony be- 
came so loud, that Cortez himself took fifty sol- 



282 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

diers and embarked in search of the missing 
ships. With great care he cruised along the 
Mexican shore, and at last found one stranded 
on the coast of Jalisco, and the other partially 
wrecked upon some rocks. He, however, got 
them both off, repaired them, and brought them, 
laden with provisions, to the half -famished col- 
ony at Vera Cruz. 

The imprudent colonists ate so voraciously 
that a fatal disease broke oat among them, which 
raged with the utmost virulence. Many died. 
Cortez became weary of these scenes of wo. 
The expedition, in a pecuniary point of view, 
had been a total failure, and it had secured for 
the conqueror no additional renown. The 
Marchioness of the Valley, the wife of Cortez, 
became so anxious at the long absence of her 
husband, that she fitted out two ships to go in 
search of him. Ulloa, who commanded these 
ships, was so fortunate as to trace Cortez to his 
colony. Cortez not unwillingly yielded to the 
solicitations of his wife and returned to Mexico. 
He was soon followed by the rest of the 
wretched colonists, and thus disastrously ter- 
minated this expedition. 

In these various enterprises, Cortez had ex- 
pended from his private property over three 
hundred thousand crowns, and had received 
nothing in return. As he considered himself 
the servant of his sovereign, and regarded these 



THE LAST DAYS OF COETEZ. 283 

efforts as undertaken to promote the glory and 
the opulence of Spain, he resolved to return to 
Castile, to replenish, if possible, his exhausted 
resources from the treasury of the crown. He 
had also sundry disputes with the authorities 
in Mexico which he wished to refer to the ar- 
bitration of the emperor. He was a disappoint- 
ed and a melancholy man. His career had been 
one of violence and of blood, and " his ill-for- 
tune," says Diaz, "is ascribed to the curses 
with which he was loaded." 

Taking with him his eldest son and heir, Don 
Martin, the child of Donna Marina, then but 
eight years of age, and leaving behind him the 
rest of his family, he embarked in 1540 again 
to return to his native land. The emperor was 
absent, but Oortez was received by the court and 
by the nation with the highest testimonials of 
respect. Courtesy was lavished upon him, but 
he could obtain nothing more. For a year the 
unhappy old man plead his cause, while daily 
the victim of hope deferred. He might truly 
have said with Cardinal Wolsey, 

" Had I but served my God with half the zeal 
I served my king, he would not in mine age 
Have left me naked to mine enemies." 

Cortez soon found himself neglected and 
avoided. His importunities became irksome. 
Two or three years of disappointment and gloom 



284 HERNANDO COETEZ. 

passed heavily away, when, in 1544, Cortez ad- 
dressed a last and a touching letter to the 
emperor. 

" I had hoped," writes the world-weary old 
man, " that the toils of my youth would have 
secured me repose in my old age. For forty 
years I have lived with but little sleep, with bad 
food, and with weapons of war continually at 
my side. I have endured all peril, and spent 
my substance in exploring distant and un- 
known regions, that I might spread abroad the 
name of my sovereign, and extend his sway 
over powerful nations. This I have done with- 
out aid from home, and in the face of those who 
thirsted for my blood. I am now aged, infirm, 
and overwhelmed with debt." He concluded 
this affecting epistle by beseeching the emperor 
to " order the Council of the Indies, with the 
other tribunals which had cognizance of his 
suit, to come to a decision, since I am too old 
to wander about like a vagrant, but ought 
rather, during the brief remainder of my life, to 
remain at home and settle my account with 
heaven, occupied with the concerns of my soul 
rather than with my substance." 

His appeal was unavailing. For three more 
weary years he lingered about the court, hop- 
ing, in the midst of disappointments and inter- 
mittent despair, to attain his ends. But at last 
all hope expired, and the poor old man, with 



THE LAST DAYS OF COKTEZ. 285 

shattered health and a crushed spirit, prepared 
to return to Mexico in gloom and obscurity to 
die. He had proceeded as far as Seville, when, 
overcome by debility and dejection, he could go 
no farther. It was soon apparent to all that 
his last hour was at hand. The dying man, 
with mind still vigorous, immediately executed 
his will. This long document is quite charac- 
teristic of its author. He left nine children, 
five of whom were born out of wedlock. He 
remembered them all affectionately in his pa- 
ternal bequests. 

He founded a theological seminary at Coju- 
hacan, in one of the provinces of Mexico, for 
the education of missionaries to preach the Gos- 
pel among the natives. A convent of nuns he 
also established in the same place, in the chapel 
of which he wished his remains to be deposited. 
He also founded a hospital in the city of Mex- 
ico, to be dedicated to Our Lady of the Concep- 
tion. 

In these solemn hours of approaching death, 
his conscience does not appear to have dis- 
turbed him at all in reference to his wars of inva- 
sion and conquest, and the enormous slaughter 
which they had caused, but he was troubled in 
view of the slavery to which they had doomed 
the poor Mexicans. With dying hand he in- 
scribes the following remarkable lines : 

" It has long been a question whether one 



286 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

can conscientiously hold property in Indian 
slaves. Since this point has not yet been de- 
termined, I enjoin it on my son Martin and his 
heirs that they spare no pains to come to an 
exact knowledge of the truth, as a matter which 
concerns the conscience of each one of them no 
less than mine." 

As the noise of the city disturbed the dying 
man, he was removed to the neighboring village 
of Castilleja. His son, then but fifteen years 
of age, watched over his venerated father, and 
nursed him with filial affection. On the 
second day of December, fifteen hundred and 
forty-seven, Cortez died, in the sixty-third year 
of his age. He was buried with great pomp in 
the tomb of the Duke of Medina Sidonia f at 
Seville. A vast concourse of the inhabitants 
of the whole surrounding country attended his 
funeral. Five years after his death, in 1562, 
his son Martin removed his remains to Mexico, 
and deposited them, not at Cojuhacan, as Cor- 
tez had requested, but in a family vault in the 
monastery at Tezcuco. Here the remains of 
Cortez reposed for sixty-seven years. In 1629 
the Mexican authorities decided to transfer 
them to Mexico, to be deposited beneath the 
church of St. Francis. The occasion was cele- 
brated with all the accompaniments of religious 
and military pomp. The bells tolled the funeral 
knell, and from muffled drums and martial 








, &:M:'y : :yyyf' r . ■:%■/: WM ■ x Pv v 



■^■'yy.Aywy&B^ -;ir^ficMiM v 



f ' 1: 

4 -mm 



r * 8 ?-*3»^* 



s«/«A:sA««:;SMi.il|-|i 




liS 



!^-^L , , 




Funeral Procession of Cortez. 



288 HERNANDO CORTEZ. 

bands sublime requiems floated forth over the 
still waters of the lake, as the mortal remains 
of Oortez were borne over the long causeway, 
where he had displayed such superhuman 
energy during the horrors of the dismal night. 
Here the ashes of Cortez reposed undisturbed 
for one hundred and sixty-five years, when 
the moldering relics were again removed in 
1794, and were more conspicuously enshrined in 
the Hospital of Our Lady of the Conception, 
which Cortez had founded and endowed. A 
crystal coffin, secured with bars of iron, inclosed 
the relics, over which a costly and beautiful 
monument was reared. 






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GRANDFATHER'S CHAIR; A History for Youth. By 
Nathaniel Hawthorne. With 60 illustrations. 

The story of America from the landing of the Puritans to the 
acknowledgment without reserve of the Independence of the 
United States, told with all the elegance, simplicity, grace, clear- 
ness and force for which Hawthorne is conspicuously noted. 

FLOWER FABLES. By Louisa May Alcott. With colored 
and plain illustrations. 

A series of very interesting fairy tales by the most charming of 
American story-tellers. 

AUNT MARTHA'S CORNER CUPBOARD. By Mary 
and Elizabeth Kirby. With 60 illustrations. 

Stories about Tea, Coffee, Sugar, Rice and Chinaware, and 
other accessories of the well-kept Cupboard. A book full of in- 
terest for all the girls and many of the boys. 

WATER-BABIES; A Fairy Tale for a Land-Baby. By 
Charles Kingsley. With 94 illustrations. 

" Come read me my riddle, each good little man ; 
If you cannot read it, no grown-up folk can." 

BATTLES OF THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE. By 

Prescott Holmes. With 70 illustrations. 

A graphic and full history of the Rebellion of the American Col- 
onies from the yoke and oppression of England, with the causes 



ALTEMUS' YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIBRARY. 



that led thereto, and including an account of the second war with 
Great Britain, and the War with Mexico. 

BATTLES OF THE WAR FOR THE UNION. By 
Prescott Holmes. With 80 illustrations. 

A correct and impartial account of the greatest civil war in the 
annals of history. Both of these histories of American wars are 
a necessary part of the education of all intelligent American boys 
and girls. 

YOUNG PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH 
SPAIN. By Prescott Holmes. With 89 illustrations. 

This history of our war with Spain, in 1898, presents in a plain, 
easy style the splendid achievements of our army and navy, and 
the prominent figures that came into the public view during that 
period. Its glowing descriptions, wealth of anecdote, accuracy < f 
statement and profusion of illustration make it a most desirable 
gift- book for young readers. 

HEROES OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY. By 
Hartwell James. With 65 illustrations. 

The story of our navy is one of the most brilliant pages in the 
w.-rld's history. The sketches and exploits contained in this vol- 
ume cover our entire naval history from the days of the honest, 
rough sailors of Revolutionary times, with their cutlasses and 
boarding pikes, to the brief war of 1898, when our superbly ap- 
pointed warships destroyed Spain's proud cruisers by the merci- 
less accuracy of their fire. 

MILITARY HEROES OF THE UNITED STATES. 

By Hartwell James. With 97 illustrations. 

In this volume the brave lives and heroic deeds c f our military 
heroes, from Paul Revere to Lawton, are told in the most captiva- 
ting manner. * The material for the work has been gathered from 
the North and the South alike. The volume presents all the im- 
portant facts in a manner enabling the young people of our united 
and prosperous land to easily become familiar with the command- 
ing figures that have arisen in our military history. 

UNCLE TOM'S CABIN; or Life Among the Lowly. By 
Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe. With 90 illustrations. 



ALTEMUS' YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIBRARY. 7 

The unfailing interest in the famous old story suggested the need 
of an edition specially prepared for young readers, and elaborately 
illustrated. This edition completely fills that want. 

SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. By Hartwell 
James. With 50 illustrations. 

The most famous sea battles of the world, with sketches of the 
lives, enterprises and achievements of men who have become fam- 
ous in naval history. They are stories of brave lives in times of 
trial and danger, charmingly told for young people. 

POOR BOYS' CHANCES. By John Habberton. With 
50 illustrations. 

There is a fascination about the writings of the author of 
" Helen's Babies," from which none can escape. In this charm- 
ing volume, Mr. Habberton tells the boys of America how they 
can attain the highest positions in the land, without the struggles 
and privations endured by poor boys who rose to eminence and 
fame in former times. 

ROMULUS, the Founder of Rome. By Jacob Abbott. 
With 49 illustrations. 

In a plain and connected narrative, the author tells the stories 
of the founder of Rome and his great ancestor, yEneas. These 
are of necessity somewhat legendary in character, but are pre- 
sented precisely as they have come down to us from ancient times. 
They are prefaced by an account of the life and inventions of Cad- 
mus, the " Father of the Alphabet," as he is often called. 

CYRUS THE GREAT, the Founder of the Persian Empire. 
By Jacob Abbott. With 40 illustrations. 

For nineteen hundred years, the story of the founder of the an- 
cient Persian empire has been read by every generation of man- 
kind. The story of the life and actions of Cyrus, as told by the 
author, presents vivid pictures of the magnificence of a monarchy 
that rose about five hundred years before the Christian era, and 
rolled on in undisturbed magnitude and glory for many centuries. 

ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND. By Edith King Hull 
With 70 illustrations by Alice B. Woodward. 

The sayings and doings of the dwellers in toyland, related by 
one of them to a dear little girl. It is a delightful book for chil- 
dren, and admirably illustrated. 



8 ALTEMUS* YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIBRARY. 

DARIUS THE GREAT, King of the Medes and Persians. 
By Jacob Abbott. With 34 illustrations. 

No great exploits marked the career of this monarch, who was 
at one time the absolute sovereign of nearly one-half of the world. 
He reached his high position by a stratagem, and left behind him 
no strong impressions of personal character, yet, the history of his 
life and reign should be read along with "those of Cyrus, Caesar, 
Hannibal and Alexander. 

XERXES THE GREAT, King of Persia. By Jacob Ab- 
bott. With 39 illustrations. 

For ages the name of Xerxes has been associated in the minds 
of men with the idea of the highest attainable human magnificence 
and grandeur. He was the sovereign of the ancient Persian em- 
pire at the height of its prosperity and power. The invasion of 
Greece by the Persian hordes, the battle of Thermopylae, the burn- 
ing of Athens, and the defeat of the Persian galleys at Salamis are 
chapters of thrilling interest. 

THE ADVENTURES OF A ' BROWNIE. By Miss 
Mulock, author of John Halifax, Gentleman, etc. With 
18 illustrations. 

One of the best of Miss Murlock's charming stories for children. 
All the situations are amusing and are sure to please youthful 
readers. 

ALEXANDER THE GREAT, King of Macedon. By 
Jacob Abbott. With 51 illustrations. 

Born heir to the throne of Macedon, a country on the confines 
of Europe and Asia, Alexander crowded into a brief career of 
twelve years a brilliant series of exploits. The readers of to-day 
will find pleasure and profit in the history of Alexander the Great, 
a potentate before whom ambassadors and princes from nearly all 
the nations of the earth bowed in humility. 

PYRRHUS, King of Epirus. By Jacob Abbott. With 45 
illustrations. 

The story of Pyrrhus is one of the ancient narratives which has 
been told and retold for many centuries in the literature, eloquence 
and poetry of all civilized nations. While possessed of extraordi- 
nary ability as a military leader, Pyrrhus actually accomplished 
nothing, but did mischief on a gigantic scale. He was naturally 



ALTEMUS* YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIBRARY. 



of a noble and generous spirit, but only succeded in perpetrating 
crimes against the peace and welfare of mankind. 

HANNIBAL, the Carthaginian. By Jacob Abbott. With 
37 illustrations. 

Hannibal's distinction as a warrior was gained during the des- 
perate contests between Rome and Carthage, known as the Punic 
wars. Entering the scene when his country was engaged in peace- 
ful traffic with the various countries of the known world, he turned 
its energies into military aggression, conquest and war, becoming 
himself one of the greatest military heroes the world has ever 
known. 

MIXED PICKLES. By Mrs. E. M. Field. With 31 illus- 
trations by T. Pym. 

A remarkably entertaining story for young people. The reader 
is introduced to a charming little girl whose mishaps while trying 
to do good are very appropriately termed " Mixed Pickles." 

JULIUS CAESAR, the Roman Conqueror. By Jacob Ab- 
bott. With 44 illustrations. 

The life and actions of Julius Caesar embrace a period in Roman 
history beginning with the civil wars of Marius and Sylla and end- 
ing with the tragic death of Caesar Imperator. The work is an 
accurate historical account of the life and times of one of the great 
military figures in history, in fact, it is history itself, and as such is 
especially commended to the readers of the present generation. 

ALFRED THE GREAT, of England. By Jacob Abbott. 
With 40 illustrations. 

In a certain sense, Alfred appears in history as the founder of 
the British monarchy : his predecessors having governed more like 
savage chieftains than English kings. The work has a special 
value for young readers, for the character of Alfred was that of an 
honest, conscientious and far-seeing statesman. The romantic 
story of Godwin furnishes the concluding chapter of tne volume. 

WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR, of England. By Jacob 
Abbott. With 43 illustrations. 

The life and times of William of Normandy have always been a 
fruitful theme for the historian. War and pillage and conquest 
were at least a part of the everyday business of men in both Eng- 



IO ALTEMUS* YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIBRARY. 

land and France : and the story of William as told by the author 
of this volume makes some of the most fascinating pages in his- 
tory. It is especially delightful to young readers. 

HERNANDO CORTEZ, the Conqueror of Mexico. By 
Jacob Abbott. With 30 illustrations. 

In this volume the author gives vivid pictures of the wild and 
adventurous career of Cortez and his companions in the conquebt 
of Mexico. Many good motives were united with those of ques- 
tionable character, in the prosecution of his enterprise, but in 
those days it was a maiter of national ambition to enlarge the 
boundaries of nations and to extend their commerce at any cost. 
The career of Cortez is one of absorbing interest. 

THE LITTLE LAME PRINCE. By Miss Mulock. With 

24 illustrations. 

The author styles it "A Parable for Old and Young." It is in her 
happiest vein and delightfully interesting, especially to youthful 
readers. 

MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS. By Jacob Abbott. With 
45 illustrations. 

The story of Mary Stuart holds a prominent place in the present 
series of historical narrations. It has had many tellings, for the 
melancholy story of the unfortunate queen has always held a high 
place in the estimation of successive generations of readers. Her 
story is full of romance and pathos, and the reader is carried along 
by conflicting emotions of wonder and sympathy. 

QUEEN ELIZABETH, of England. By Jacob Abbott. 
With 49 illustrations. 

In strong contrast to the story of Mary, Queen of Scots, is that 
of Elizabeth, Queen of England. They were cousins, yet im- 
placable foes. Elizabeth's reign was in many ways a glorious one, 
and her successes gained her the applause of the world. The 
stirring tales of. Drake, Hawkins and other famous mariners of 
her lime have been incorporated into the story of Elizabeth's life 
and reign. 

KING CHARLES THE FIRST, of England. By Jacob 
Abbott. With 41 illustrations. 

The well-known figures in the stormy reign of Charles I. are 
brought forward in this narrative of his life and times. It is his- 
tory told in the most fascinating manner, and embraces the early 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIBRARY. II 



life of Charles ; the court of James I.; struggles between Charles 
and the Parliament ; the Civil war ; the trial and execution of the 
king. The narrative is impartial and holds the attention of the 
reader. 

KING CHARLES THE SECOND, of England. By Jacob 
Abbott. With 38 illustrations. 

Beginning with his infancy, the life of the " Merry Monarch " 
is related in the author's inimitable style. His reign was signal- 
ized by many disastrous events, besides those that related to his 
personal troubles and embarrassments. There were unfortunate 
wars ; naval defeats , dangerous and disgraceful plots and con- 
spiracies. Trobule sat very lightly on the shoulders of Charles II. , 
however, and the cares of state were easily forgotten in the society 
of his court and dogs. 

THE SLEEPY KING. By Aubrey Hopwood and Seymour 
Hicks. With 77 illustrations by Maud Trelawney. 

A charmingly-told Fairy Tale, full of delight and entertain- 
ment. The illustrations are original and striking, adding greatly 
to the interest of the text. 

MARIA ANTOINETTE, Queen of France. By John S. C. 
Abbott. With 42 illustrations. 

The tragedy of Maria Antoinette is one of the most mournful in 
the histoty of the world. " Her beauty dazzled the whole king- 
dom," says Lamartine. Her lofty and unbending spirit under 
unspeakable indignities and atrocities, enlists and holds the sympa- 
thies of the readers of to-day, as it has done in the past. 

MADAME ROLAND, A Heroine of the French Revolution. 
By Jacob Abbott. With 42 illustrations. 

The French Revolution developed few, if any characters more 
worthy of notice than that of Madame Roland. The absence of 
playmates, in her youth, inspired her with an insatiate thirst for 
knowledge, and books became her constant companions in every 
unoccupied hour. She fell a martyr to the tyrants of the French 
Revolution, but left behind her a career full of instruction that 
never fails to impress itself upon the reader. 

JOSEPHINE, Empress of France. By Jacob Abbott. With 
40 illustrations. 



12 ALTEMUS' YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIBRARY. 

Maria Antoinette bebeld the dawn of the French Revolution ; 
Madame Roland perished under the lurid glare of its high noon ; 
Josephine saw it fade into darkness. She has been called the 
" Star of Napoleon ; " and it is certain that she added luster to 
his brilliance, and that her persuasive influence was ofien exerted 
to win a friend or disarm an adversary. The lives of the Empress 
Josephine, of Maria Antoinette, and of Madame Roland are 
especially commended to young lady readers. 

TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE. By Charles and Mary 
Lamb. With 80 illustrations. 

The text is somewhat abridged and edited for young people, but 
a clear and definite outline of each play is presented. Such episodes 
or incidental sketches of character as are not absolutely necessary 
to the development of the tales are omitted, while the many moral 
lessons that lie in Shakespeare's plays and make them valuable in 
the training of the young are retained. The book is winning, help- 
ful and an effectual guide to the ' ' inner shrine ' ' of the great 
dramatist. 

MAKERS OF AMERICA. By Hartwell James. With 75 
illustrations. 

This volume contains attractive and suggestive sketches of the 
lives and deeds of men who illustrated some special phase in the 
political, religious or social lifs of our country, from its settlement 
to the close of the eighteenth century. It affords an opportunity 
for young readers to become easily familiar with these characters 
and their historical relations to the building of our Republic. An 
account of the discovery of America prefaces the work. 

A WONDER BOOK FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. By 
Nathaniel Hawthorne. With 50 illustrations. 

In this volume the genius of Hawthorne has shaped anew 
wonder tales that have been hallowed by an antiquity of two or 
three thousand years. Seeming " never to have been made ; ' they 
are legitimate subjects for every age to clothe with its own fancy 
as to manners and sentiment, and its own views of morality. The 
volume has a charm, fo" old and young alike, for the author has 
not thought it necessary to ' " write downward ' ' in order to meet 
the comprehension of children. 



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